Dan Boyle (Cork South Central, Green Party)
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Question 17: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will report on the recent EU Foreign Ministers' statement on 23 May 2005 on Uzbekistan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18642/05]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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At its meeting on 23 May, the External Relations Council expressed profound concern at developments in eastern Uzbekistan and deeply regretted the appalling loss of life following events in the town of Andijan on 13 May. The Council strongly condemned the reported use of force by the Uzbek security forces, which it characterised as "excessive, disproportionate and indiscriminate." It urged the Uzbek authorities to act with restraint to avoid further loss of life and encouraged all sides to work towards a peaceful and sustainable solution to the situation.

The Council also expressed concern about the situation of Uzbek refugees who have crossed into Kyrgyzstan and urged both countries to respect their commitments under international conventions on internally displaced persons and refugees. The Ministers called on the Uzbek authorities to grant immediate and unimpeded access to humanitarian agencies and other relevant international organisations to the area. The Council signalled its readiness to use instruments available under the EU-Uzbekistan Partnership and Co-operation Agreement to assist the affected population in its immediate humanitarian needs.

The Council deeply regretted the failure of the Uzbek authorities to respond adequately to the call from the United Nations for an independent international inquiry to take place. It urged them to reconsider their position and stated that the Council would consider further steps, depending on the response.

Previously on 18 May, I expressed my deep concern at the reports of killings of unarmed civilians and called for the facts to be independently established. I also said that the root causes of the instability needed to be addressed. This will no doubt require political and economic reforms in order to improve the daily lives of all the people of Uzbekistan. This point was taken up in the Council conclusions which urged the Uzbek authorities to carry out domestic reforms essential for social and economic development and for the achievement of democracy and stability in the country. The conclusions stated that the Council would co-ordinate with the OSCE, the Russian Federation and the United States in order to effectively support reforms.

In view of reports in recent days that some refugees are being forced to return to Uzbekistan from Kyrgyzstan, I would like to reiterate the importance we attach to full compliance by both countries with international conventions on internally displaced persons and refugees. It is vital that the human rights and dignity of those who have fled as a result of the unrest in Uzbekistan be respected. In my view, a failure to independently investigate the events at Andijan cannot be without consequences for relations with the European Union. If the Uzbek authorities persist in their refusal to establish a fully independent inquiry, further measures will have to be considered at a future Council meeting.