This evening, the High Representative/Vice-President Federica Mogherini met the Foreign Minister of Uzbekistan, Abdulaziz Kamilov. The meeting, which took place the day after the 13^th Cooperation Council between the European Union and Uzbekistan, was an opportunity for both sides to assess the positive trend of bilateral relations, as well as to discuss regional and international matters. The High Representative and the Foreign Minister discussed the ongoing reform efforts in Uzbekistan that has recently taken a number of encouraging steps to strengthen its engagement with the international partners as well as to strengthen ties with non-governmental organisations and civil society. The High Representative/Vice President stressed the importance of furthering such relationships and the reform efforts.  Federica Mogherini and Minister Kamilov looked forward to the EU-Central Asia Foreign Ministers' Meeting, which will be hosted by Uzbekistan in Samarkand in the autumn. Both also reiterated the importance of regional dialogue and cooperation.