President of Uzbekistan underscores the importance of expanding trade, economic and investment cooperation with the European Union

On November 27, President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev, received a delegation from the European Union, led by European Commissioner for international partnerships Jozef Síkela, and European Commissioner for enlargement Marta Kos, who are visiting our country on a working visit.

Issues related to the development of trade, economic, and investment cooperation were discussed in the context of implementing the agreements reached during the high-level visit to Brussels in October this year.

The EU representatives conveyed to the President of Uzbekistan the sincere greetings of the President of the European Council António Costa, and the President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen.

The leader of Uzbekistan congratulated the European Commissioners on the successful holding in Tashkent of the third “Central Asia – EU” economic forum and the Investors’ Forum on the Trans-Caspian corridor and transport connectivity, following which a number of new regional-scale joint projects were launched.

It was noted with satisfaction that Uzbek–European relations are developing dynamically, and a new comprehensive agenda for bilateral and multilateral cooperation is being formed.

This year, the Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (EPCA) with the European Union was signed, summits were held in Samarkand and Brussels, negotiations with the EU on Uzbekistan’s accession to the WTO were completed.

Since the beginning of the year, trade turnover has increased by almost 7 percent. It was emphasized that the practical implementation of the EPCA will contribute to a multiple increase in trade volumes and investments inflow.

The importance of further improving institutional mechanisms of cooperation was emphasized to expand and diversify the range of trade, develop new joint investment projects in industrial cooperation, transport, digitalization, critical minerals, energy, healthcare, and other priority sectors.

An exchange of views also took place on topical issues of the international and regional agenda.