It seems likely that the British Government will support the continued suspension of the visa ban on Uzbek officials when the matter comes up for discussion at the end of the month. On 29 April the EU General Affairs and External Relations Council (GAERC) will meet in Luxembourg to discuss a range of affairs - (Iraq, Burma, Zimbabwe, Georgia et al) including whether or not to continue the suspension of the travel ban on Uzbekistan.

In a written ministerial statement (via TheyWorkForYou.com) on 25 April Jim Murphy, MP (Lab; Renfrewshire East), Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, said:

‘The Council is expected to consider whether there has been sufficient progress on human rights issues in Uzbekistan in the last six months to warrant continued suspension of the EU visa ban. The Government recognise the positive progress made by Uzbekistan in the last six months and welcome its commitment to hold a second round of the EU-Uzbekistan Human Rights Dialogue in May or June this year. In the light of this, and in order to encourage further positive progress from Uzbekistan, the Government are likely to join consensus in continuing the suspension.’

What was that phrase EU officials used to trot out when describing negotiations with Iran? ‘constructive dialogue’. It seems that this will be the EU’s approach to relations with Uzbekistan - at least for the time being.