Statement of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Uzbekistan
The Republic of Uzbekistan notes the recent increase in cases of unfounded statements addressed to Uzbekistan regarding cooperation with Western countries in the field of biosafety, which allegedly poses a threat to nearby countries.
We draw the attention that the information disseminated in a number of media outlets about the alleged purpose of the laboratories available in Uzbekistan for the production of bioweapons is absolutely untrue.
It should be noted that these laboratories are intended only for diagnostic studies and are used for exclusively peaceful purposes.
Moreover, Uzbekistan, as a party to the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention, ensures the prohibition of the production and stockpiling of biological weapons.
We believe that any unfounded statements addressed to the Uzbek side create a certain tension in bilateral relations and, most importantly, is detrimental to the interstate trust-based dialogue.
