Uzbek TV
December 11
uring his official visit to Austria, Uzbek President Islam Karimov met the ex-federal chancellor of
Austria, Franz Vranitzky, and a member of the board of executive directors of the
Austrian Inspection Bank, Scholten. Such issues as development of
economic relations, attraction of investment to Uzbekistan and closer
cooperation were discussed during the meeting.
The Uzbek president also met OSCE Secretary-General Jan Kubis at his residence in Vienna. During talks with the OSCE secretary-general, President Karimov noted that regrettably OSCE activities were very often restricted to holding conferences, and provisions underlined in the organization's statutes had been considered as second-hand matters. Development of the OSCE's practical activity is very important, Islam Karimov said. They also discussed the situation in the Central Asian region.
After that Uzbek President Islam Karimov visited the presidential Hofburg palace and was met by Austrian President Thomas Klestil. One-to-one talks followed the official welcoming ceremony. During the talks the parties discussed expanding mutually advantageous cooperation between Uzbekistan and Austria. It was noted that despite the fact that cooperation between the two countries was developing in virtually all the spheres, the potential was far from being used to the full.
The Austrian president highly praised Uzbekistan's stance in fighting international terrorism, its support of the antiterrorism coalition. The leaders of the two countries have made a joint statement on the results of the talks and answered numerous questions at a news conference.
A ceremony for signing documents on railway and river transport, on international freight transportation, on tourism and on developing cooperation between Tashkent National University and Vienna University was also held at the palace.
A festive reception in honour of the president of Uzbekistan was held on behalf of Federal President of Austria Thomas Klestil.
The same day, the heads of states visited the US embassy in Austria to attend a function commemorating the memory of those who perished in New York and Washington three months ago. In his speech President Islam Karimov noted the need to take the most resolute measures against terrorism. He said that all progressive forces should unite into consolidation that could completely eradicate terrorism.
In the evening, the Uzbek leader and the Austrian foreign minister, Benita Ferrero-Waldner, discussed developing diplomatic relations.
Islam Karimov also visited the Austrian parliament and discussed deepening interparliamentary relations with the chairman of the Austrian National Council, Heinz Fischer.
The Uzbek leader then met Austrian Chancellor Wolfgang Schuessel. They discussed setting up joint ventures and attracting investment to Uzbekistan.