A historic Agreement on Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation was signed between the Republic of Uzbekistan and the European Union

On October 24 in the city of Brussels in the presence of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev, the President of the European Council Antonio Costa and the President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen, a solemn ceremony of signing the Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement between the Republic of Uzbekistan and the European Union took place.

The document will update and significantly expand the legal framework of Uzbek-European cooperation, which is currently based on the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement of 1996.

Negotiations The draft new Agreement began in February 2019 and was completed in July 2022. The initialing took place on July 6, 2022 in Brussels.

The document consists of 9 sections, 356 articles and 14 appendices. It covers almost all areas of bilateral relations and forms a comprehensive legal framework for strengthening political dialogue and deepening cooperation in all mutually beneficial areas, with a special emphasis on trade and investment, sustainable development, science and education, innovation and high technology, environment and climate change.

The signing of the agreement marks the beginning of a new stage in Uzbekistan's relations with the EU and takes the multifaceted partnership to an unprecedented high level.

* * * * *

The President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev met with the President of the European Council António Costa in the building of the headquarters of the European Council "Europe" in Brussels

and the President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen.

Issues of further building up multifaceted Uzbek-European cooperation were considered in the context of the implementation of agreements reached following the results of the first “Central Asia - EU” summit in Samarkand

in April of this year.

The leaders highly appreciated the historic Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement signed today between the Republic of Uzbekistan and the European Union. It was emphasized that this comprehensive document

not only expands the legal framework, but also forms a new agenda for cooperation between Uzbekistan and the EU.

It will also give a powerful impetus to interaction with the member states of the association, primarily in the field of trade, investment, transport, energy, climate, high technology and cultural and humanitarian interaction.

The parties also welcomed the completion of bilateral negotiations with the EU on Uzbekistan's accession to the World Trade Organization.

Active and productive contacts and exchanges at all levels were noted with deep satisfaction. On the eve of the visit, the delegation of Uzbekistan took part in the second EU Global Gateway forum; the other day, meetings of the Cooperation Council and the subcommittee on economics, trade and investment were successfully held.

Yesterday a major joint business forum took place, and today there was a meeting with the heads of leading European companies and financial institutions. As a result, agreements were reached on the implementation of new projects totaling more than 10 billion euros in the fields of energy, chemistry, critical minerals, logistics, textiles and pharmaceuticals. This is a solid addition to the current portfolio of projects with European companies totaling more than 40 billion euros.

To maintain the high dynamics of the partnership, the need to further strengthen institutional mechanisms of cooperation and implement new promising projects in the field of investment, critical minerals, energy, transport, science and education was emphasized. The importance of simplifying visa procedures to strengthen business and humanitarian ties was noted.

The leaders also exchanged views on current issues of the international agenda and regional cooperation.

Following the meeting, a Joint Statement was adopted.

Official website of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan