Switzerland will lift sanctions against Uzbekistan after a European Union report found the Central Asian state had made progress in addressing human rights abuses.

The measures against Uzbekistan were imposed in 2006 and included a ban on arms shipments and other military and security equipment. On Wednesday the Swiss cabinet voted not to renew the sanctions, effectively lifting them as of Thursday.

That means future Uzbek requests for arms purchases could proceed according to international laws.

The move is in line with the EU, which voted not to renew the restrictions in October.

With the sanctions lifted, the Uzbek government is still encouraged to continue undertaking reforms aimed at strengthening the rule of law and human rights, the Swiss government said in a statement.

swissinfo.ch and agencies

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