U.S.-Uzbekistan Joint Commission

Political Committee — Non-Proliferation Subcommittee

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The Non-Proliferation Subcommittee of the Political Committee reaffirms the commitment of both governments to the Treaty on the Nonproliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) as the cornerstone of the international nuclear nonproliferation regime, and pledged to continue to seek universal adherence to the Treaty. The subcommittee underscores the importance of the Biological Weapons Convention and the Chemical Weapons Convention to global efforts to eliminate weapons of mass destruction. Both delegations express their strong support for completion of a compliance and transparency protocol to strengthen the Biological Weapons Convention, and for complete and accurate declarations consistent with requirements of the Chemical Weapons Convention. The two sides also agree they will review and plan further cooperation between the Agricultural Research Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture and Uzbekistan's Institute of Plant Genetics.

The subcommittee notes the importance of export controls in preventing the spread of weapons of mass destruction. The Department of Defense reviewed DOD training and assistance initiatives, including its Cooperative Threat Reduction program.

The subcommittee expresses satisfaction over Uzbekistan's accession on December 27, 1997 to the Agreement that established the Science and Technology Center in Ukraine (STCU). The STCU provides weapon scientists and engineers in participating states of the former Soviet Union the opportunity to re-direct their talents to peaceful activities. The subcommittee affirms the need to initiate projects at scientific institutes in Uzbekistan at the earliest possible date.

To this end, the Uzbekistani delegation pledges prompt implementation of procedures called for by the STCU Agreement providing for expeditious governmental concurrence for project proposals well as tax and customs exemptions for funds and equipment brought into Uzbekistan for STCU activities. The United States delegation notes the excellent scientific expertise at institutes in Uzbekistan, and anticipates working cooperatively with Uzbekistani scientists to develop projects for funding consideration. [End of Document]

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	Updated April 2006