ARE, Sweden, May 24 (Xinhuanet) -- The Uzbek government, which is under international pressure for domestic violence, did not send adelegation to a security forum of the Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council (EAPC), to be opened in the central Swedish town of Are onTuesday.

    "It's a pity that Uzbekistan is not represented," said Swedish Foreign Minister Laila Freivalds here Tuesday afternoon, who is tochair the two-day forum.

    Uzbekistan is the only EAPC member that is absent from the forum. The EAPC is an organization participated by all 46 full NATO member states and partnership countries.

    "They said they were not possible to come here ... but it's difficult to get clear information," she told a press conference.

    "Originally they said they would come, later I heard there is no possibility," Freivalds added.

    Earlier Tuesday morning, the North Atlantic Council, NATO's decision-making body, issued a statement, condemning the "reported use of excessive and disproportionate force" by the Uzbek security forces and calling for an independent inquiry into what had happened in the country.

    "I did not hear any explanation, we need explanation," said the Swedish foreign minister.

    Tuesday's event is the first such forum ever held by the EAPC, which is expected to attract 15 foreign ministers as well as other senior officials and scholars. Enditem