the European Union praised Uzbekistan for what...

the European Union praised Uzbekistan for what it said was the country's stated will to institute democratic reforms, respect human rights, and abolish the death penalty.   Uzbek Foreign Minister Sodyq Safaev met in Brussels with an EU delegation headed by Luxembourg's Foreign Minister Jean Asselborn, who represented the bloc's current presidency.
After the meeting, Asselborn praised what he said was clear intent from the Uzbek side to consider abolishing the death penalty.
"This morning, the Uzbek foreign minister stated that Uzbekistan wants to abolish the death penalty. [The country] needs some time for reflection on this, but it does want to abolish the death penalty for all cases," Asselborn said. "It is a very concrete step in the dialogue between the EU and the countries of Central Asia. It is truly remarkable that we have come to such a conclusion."