Uzbekistan-Slovakia: Dialogue in the context of new opportunities

On June 8-10, at the invitation of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, Prime Minister of Slovakia Robert Fico will pay an official visit to Uzbekistan.

Diplomatic relations between Uzbekistan and Slovakia were established on January 1, 1993. Despite the fact that relations between Uzbekistan and Slovakia have long remained in the shadow of larger formats, today there is steady progress in the institutionalization and regularization of dialogue. Against the background of the intensification of Uzbekistan’s foreign policy strategy and the growing interest of the European Union in Central Asia, relations between Tashkent and Bratislava received an additional impetus.

In the international arena, the countries interact within the framework of the UN, OSCE, Council of Europe, as well as in structures related to the global sustainable development agenda. Slovakia traditionally supports Uzbekistan’s initiatives aimed at ensuring regional security, water and environmental cooperation in Central Asia, as well as projects in the field of education.

Thus, within the framework of the 75th session of the UN General Assembly, Slovakia supported the resolution initiated by Uzbekistan to strengthen cooperation in Central Asia. In turn, Uzbekistan highly appreciated Slovakia’s efforts within the OSCE, including its chairmanship in 2019, when special attention was paid to transparency, the rule of law and intercultural dialogue - topics that coincide with Tashkent’s foreign policy priorities.

Inter-parliamentary dialogue is also being consistently established.

In April 2023, the parliamentary delegation of Slovakia led by the Chairman of the National Council Boris Kollar visited Uzbekistan. Meetings took place in the Senate and Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis, as well as the Cabinet of Ministers.

In March 2025, an inter-parliamentary group for cooperation with the National Council of Slovakia, which consists of 13 parliamentarians, was formed in the Oliy Majlis. The parliament of Slovakia also has a similar group for cooperation with the Oliy Majlis of Uzbekistan.

An active dialogue between the foreign ministries of the two countries creates a platform for further expansion of cooperation in various fields.

The foreign ministers of the two states have met repeatedly in Tashkent, as well as on the sidelines of major international events. The parties regularly hold inter-Ministry of Foreign Affairs political consultations, discussing both the bilateral agenda and coordination in international organizations. The fifth round of such consultations was held on January 14, 2025 in Tashkent.

In accordance with the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement between Uzbekistan and the EU, most favored nation treatment has been established in trade between the two countries. Despite the still modest volumes of mutual trade, both countries are interested in building up sustainable economic ties. Among the areas of mutual interest are mechanical engineering, pharmaceuticals, energy, telecommunications, agriculture and others.

The prospects for the development of economic cooperation were confirmed by the visit of the delegation of Uzbekistan to Slovakia in August 2023. The Uzbek-Slovak business forum, as well as bilateral meetings with the Secretary of State of the Ministry of Economy of Slovakia Peter Švec, the General Director of the Slovak Investment and Trade Development Agency Robert Simoncic, the Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry Peter Mihok and the heads of the largest Slovak companies were very fruitful and gave impetus to the rapprochement between the business circles of the two countries.

Slovak companies consider Uzbekistan as a potential market for localizing production with the possibility of entering the CIS countries. In turn, Uzbek manufacturers are interested in access to technological solutions and investments from Slovakia.

Currently, six enterprises with the participation of Slovak capital are already operating in Uzbekistan, including four with 100% foreign capital. The mechanism regulating bilateral trade and economic relations was previously the Uzbek-Slovak Intergovernmental Commission (IPC) on trade, economic, scientific and technical cooperation. Three meetings of the IGC were held.

On May 5 this year, the first meeting of the newly created Uzbek-Slovak Intergovernmental Commission on Economic Cooperation was held in Tashkent.

It is worth noting that the head of the government of Slovakia, Robert Fico, and a representative delegation of the business circles of this country will take part in the IV Tashkent International Investment Forum, which will take place during the visit in the capital of our country. Such a clear manifestation of political will to deepen cooperation in the economic and investment spheres will certainly bear fruit and serve to establish sustainable and mutually beneficial economic ties.

It is important to note that both countries are interested in developing transport and logistics cooperation. Slovakia can become an important hub for Uzbek exports within the framework of the Trans-Caspian route and the Global Gateway initiative.

As part of Uzbekistan's openness policy and in order to increase business and tourist exchanges, a visa-free regime for entry into Uzbekistan for up to 30 days has been introduced for Slovak citizens since 2019.

Recently, interaction in the field of migration has become one of the new areas of cooperation. On March 3-6 this year, a delegation of the Migration Agency of Uzbekistan visited Slovakia. As part of the visit, a meeting was held at the Ministry of Education of this country and an Uzbek-Slovak forum, in which representatives of the Ministry of Economy, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry and business circles of Slovakia took part. The delegation also held meetings with recruiting companies, as a result of which a cooperation agreement was signed with the Federation of Employers and the Association of Recruitment Agencies of Slovakia.

Based on the Agreement between Uzbekistan and Slovakia on cooperation in the field of culture and art signed in November 1997, an exchange of delegations in the cultural sphere is carried out, the participation of Uzbek and Slovak delegates in international cultural events organized in both countries events.

Starting from the 2014-2015 academic year, the government of Slovakia included Uzbekistan in the list of countries that are awarded scholarships to study at universities in this country. Students, young researchers, as well as employees of research institutes of Uzbekistan can take part in this program.

Cinema days and concerts organized in the two countries contribute to bringing closer and strengthening intercultural dialogue.

In short, Uzbek-Slovak relations, which have significant potential, demonstrate new dynamics and promise to become a good example mutually beneficial modern interstate dialogue. In this context, the upcoming visit of the Prime Minister of Slovakia Robert Fico to Uzbekistan is intended to give a powerful impetus to intensify bilateral relations and bring them to the level of strategic partnership.

IA “Dunyo”