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EMBASSY/CONSULATE ADDRESSES

Diplomatic representation in US:
Ambassador: Abdulaziz KAMILOV
Embassy: 1746 Massachusettes Ave., NW Washington, DC 20036
Telephone: [1] (202) 887-5300, 4267
Fax: [1] (202) 293-6804

Consulate(s) General are in:
New York
866 U.N. Plaza, Suite 327A,
New York, NY 10017.
(212) 754-6178, FAX (212) 486-7998

US diplomatic representation:
Chief of mission: Ambassador: Richard B. NORLAND
Embassy: 3 Moyqo'rq'on, 5th Block, Yunusobod District, Tashkent 700093
Mailing address: use embassy street address
Telephone: [998] (71) 120-5450
FAX: [998] (71) 120-6335

Embassy - Consulate Web Sites for Uzbekistan
U.S Embassy Web Site in Uzbekistan
Embassy of Uzbekistan in Washington DC


FOREIGN RELATIONS

Uzbekistan is a member of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), the United Nations, the Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council, NATO Partnership for Peace, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC), and the Economic Cooperation Organization--comprised of the five Central Asian countries, Azerbaijan, Turkey, Iran, Afghanistan, and Pakistan. In 1999, Uzbekistan joined the GUAM alliance (Georgia, Ukraine, Azerbaijan, and Moldova), which was formed in 1997 (making it GUUAM), but formally withdrew in 2005. Uzbekistan hosts the Shanghai Cooperation Organization's (SCO) Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS) in Tashkent. Uzbekistan is a founding member of the Central Asian Union, formed with Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan (and which Tajikistan joined in March 1998). In 2002, Uzbekistan joined the Central Asian Cooperation Organization (CACO), which also includes Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan. In 2006, Uzbekistan joined the Eurasian Economic Community (EurASEC), comprising Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan, but subsequently withdrew in 2008.

Uzbekistan participated in the CIS peacekeeping force in Tajikistan and in UN-organized groups to help resolve the Tajik and Afghan conflicts, both of which it viewed as posing threats to its own stability. Uzbekistan is a supporter of U.S. efforts against worldwide terrorism and joined the coalition combating terrorism in Afghanistan. It continues to support coalition anti-terrorist operations in Afghanistan by granting access to Germany to an air base in southern Uzbekistan.

U.S.-UZBEK RELATIONS

The U.S. recognized the independence of Uzbekistan on December 25, 1991, and opened an Embassy in Tashkent in March 1992. U.S. policy since that time has been to support Uzbekistan’s development as an independent, sovereign country with democratic institutions rooted in the rule of law. The U.S. and Uzbekistan cooperated closely following the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks and the start of the war in Afghanistan. However, relations cooled following U.S. and European demands for an independent, international investigation into the May 2005 Andijon violence and as the Government of Uzbekistan sought to limit the influence of U.S. and other foreign non-governmental organizations (NGOs) working on civil society, political reform, and human rights inside the country.

Since mid-2007, the United States and Uzbekistan have begun to rebuild cooperation on issues of mutual concern, including security and economic relations, as well as political and civil society issues. Uzbekistan has Central Asia's largest population and is important to U.S. interests in ensuring stability and security in the region.

Bilateral Economic Relations

Trade and investment.Trade relations are regulated by a bilateral trade agreement, which entered into force January 14, 1994. It provides for extension of most-favored-nation trade status between the two countries. The U.S. additionally granted Uzbekistan exemption from many U.S. import tariffs under the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP status) on August 17, 1994. A Bilateral Investment Treaty was signed December 16, 1994; it has been ratified by Uzbekistan and received advice and consent of the U.S. Senate in October 2000. However, the Bilateral Investment Treaty will be unlikely to enter into force until Uzbekistan embarks on economic reform. The government is taking some modest steps to reduce the bureaucratic restraints on the nascent private sector.

Assistance. The only country bordering all other Central Asian states, Uzbekistan’s growth and development invariably affect issues such as energy, water, trade, and, ultimately, political and social stability within the region. U.S. Government assistance to Uzbekistan seeks to mitigate potential instability while bolstering social protection mechanisms and providing the basis for economic growth. The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) achieves these aims through enhancing the development of civil society and the protection of human rights; fostering economic growth through agricultural initiatives and improved policy frameworks; promoting a healthier, better educated population while preventing HIV/AIDS; and enhancing border security while countering transnational crimes such as trafficking in persons. In addition, U.S. assistance focuses on strategies to mitigate potential conflicts around issues such as water and energy.

In 2009, USAID’s programmatic portfolio stands at an estimated $7 million and includes activities to develop NGOs; improve the accountability of political parties; promote human rights; prevent infectious diseases such as tuberculosis (TB) and HIV/AIDS; improve agriculture through value chains; enhance educational opportunities for people with disabilities; provide professional exchange opportunities for Uzbek experts; and improve the delivery of public services and electricity. Since 1993, USAID has provided over $300 million in assistance to Uzbekistan.

DEFENSE
Uzbekistan possesses the largest and most competent military forces in the Central Asian region, having around 65,000 people in uniform. Its structure is inherited from the Soviet armed forces, although it is moving rapidly toward a fully restructured organization, which will eventually be built around light and Special Forces. The Uzbek Armed Forces' equipment is not modern, and training, while improving, is neither uniform nor adequate yet for its new mission of territorial security. The government has accepted the arms control obligations of the former Soviet Union, acceded to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (as a non-nuclear state), and has supported an active program by the U.S. Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) to demilitarize and clean up former weapons of mass destruction-related facilities in western Uzbekistan (Nukus and Vozrozhdeniye Island), as well as to guard against the proliferation of radiological materials across its borders. The Government of Uzbekistan spends about 2% of GDP on the military (2005 est.).

Beginning in the late 1990s until 2004, the government received U.S. Foreign Military Financing (FMF), International Military Education and Training (IMET), and other security assistance funds. Beginning in 2004, new FMF and IMET assistance to Uzbekistan was stopped, as the Secretary of State, implementing U.S. Government legislation, was unable to certify that the Government of Uzbekistan was making progress in meeting its commitments, including respect for human rights and economic reform, under the U.S.-Uzbekistan Strategic Framework Agreement. Uzbekistan approved U.S. Central Command's request for access to a vital military air base in southern Uzbekistan following the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks in the U.S., but asked the U.S. to leave in July 2005. All U.S. forces had departed this facility by November 2005.

Principal U.S. Embassy Officials
Ambassador--Richard B. Norland
Secretary--Patti Hagopian
Deputy Chief of Mission--Brad Hanson
Political/Economic Chief--Ted Burkhalter
Public Affairs Officer--Carol Fajardo
Management Officer--Doug Ellrich
Consul--Rafael Perez
Defense Attache--LTC Jeff Hartmann
USAID--James Bonner

The U.S. Embassy in Tashkent is located at 3 Moyqo'rq'on, 5th Block, Yunusobod District, Tashkent 700093; tel. [998] (71) 120-5450; fax: [998] (71) 120-6335; duty officer (cellular): [998] (71) 180-4060.


TRAVEL ADVISORIES

To obtain the latest Travel Advisory Information for Uzbekistan check the U.S. State Department Consular Information Sheet.


TRAVEL TIPS

Driving TBA
Currency (UZS) Uzbekistani sum
Electrical 220 Volts
Telephones Country Code 998, City Code, Karakalpakstan 61+7D, Khorezm 62+7D, Bukhara 65+7D



Transport
Uzbek Airways is the key carrier used by travelers to arrive in Uzbekistan. It is known for the good quality of service and flight safety. Also, a number of foreign airlines is present in the market. In general, people use vehicles when traveling inside the country. Nevertheless, Uzbek Airlines run domestic flights too, which are quite precise and efficient. As far as tourists are concerned, comfortable air-conditioned coaches and mini-buses are used most. Paragliding, rafting and camel riding are options as well.

Hotels
Uzbekistan, being a newly independent country, has a rapidly developing tourism sector. A key part of it is the network of hotels ranging from sumptuous five and four-star chain hotels, such as Intercontinental and Sheraton, to small scale family-run businesses which easily compete with the luxurious giants by applying best traditions of Uzbek hospitality and personal attention to client's needs. The number of small-sized hotels, B&Bs and guest-houses is growing fast, which offers picky travelers a good opportunity to choose the best service vs. price combination.

Food
At first glance, Uzbek food is a serious challenge to people who are used to dietary nutrition. Millennia of nomadic traditions have resulted in the heavy presence of meat and fat in the meals. Nevertheless, travelers with properly formulated food preferences may find a rich variety of dietary products, including dairy and fruit, which are delicious and contain no chemicals. Abundance of fruit and vegetables and their incomparable taste has always been the pride of Uzbeks. Those who are sick of tasteless supermarket strawberries, apples, etc., should try them in Uzbekistan just to know what the genuine taste should be.
Restaurants in Uzbekistan offer dishes of three main cuisines: Uzbek traditional cuisine, Russian and European. Other national cuisines are present as well, such as the Chinese, Turkish, Georgian, Korean and Indian.

Security
Uzbekistan is one of few countries of the former Soviet Union where low crime is an indisputable fact. The strong Government has made the issue of security a top priority: effective law enforcement and the general obedience to law by citizens have resulted in safety and peace. Though neighboring Afghanistan is still suffering consequences of war, Uzbekistan has been able to protect itself from the terrorism threats at all times, even before terrorists' strikes in America, when the Taliban Movement was on the peak of its power. Our country has always been on alert. It is much safer to travel in Uzbekistan these days than in many world's famous tourist destinations.


CUSTOMS/DUTIES

TOBACCO.....................1000 Cigarettes or 1kg of Tobacco Products

LIQUOR.........................1.5 Litres of Alcoholic Beverages and 2 Litres of Wine

PERFUME......................Reasonable for Personal Use

CAMERAS......................No Restrictions

FILM..............................Reasonable for Personal Use

GIFTS AND OTHERS......Up To a Value of US$10,000

CURRENCY....................No Restrictions

PROHIBITED IMPORTS: Firearms, ammunition and drugs.

PROHIBITED EXPORTS: Items more than 100 years old and those of special cultural importance require special permission for export. When buying items that may be more than 100 years old, ask for a certificate stating the age of the item(s).



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