Uzbekistan–EU relations gain momentum following high-level talks in Tashkent

On November 27, President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev met with a European Union delegation led by EU Commissioner for International Partnerships Josef Síkela and EU Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos.

Uzbek press reports that during the meeting, the sides reviewed prospects for expanding trade, economic, and investment cooperation, focusing on the implementation of agreements reached during the high-level visit to Brussels in October of this year.

President Mirziyoyev congratulated the commissioners on the successful organisation in Tashkent of the 3rd “Central Asia – EU” Economic Forum and the Investors Forum on the Trans-Caspian Corridor and Transport Connectivity. These events resulted in the launch of several new joint regional-scale projects.

Both sides expressed satisfaction with the dynamic progress of Uzbekistan–EU relations and the emergence of a new comprehensive agenda for bilateral and multilateral cooperation.

This year marked important milestones, including the signing of the Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (EPCA) between Uzbekistan and the European Union, the holding of summits in Samarkand and Brussels, and the completion of negotiations with the EU on Uzbekistan’s accession to the World Trade Organisation.

Since the start of the year, bilateral trade has increased by nearly 7%. It was emphasised that the practical implementation of the EPCA will significantly boost trade volumes and attract greater investment.

The discussion highlighted the need to further strengthen institutional mechanisms for cooperation, with the aim of expanding and diversifying the trade structure and promoting new joint investment projects in industrial cooperation, transport, digitalisation, critical minerals, energy, healthcare, and other key sectors.

By Tamilla Hasanova