Historic Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement signed between the Republic of Uzbekistan and the European Union
On 24 October, in the city of Brussels, a solemn ceremony was held for the signing of the Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement between the Republic of Uzbekistan and the European Union in the presence of President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev, President of the European Council António Costa and President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen.
The document renews and significantly expands the legal framework governing cooperation between Uzbekistan and the European Union, which until now has been based on the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement signed in 1996.
Negotiations on the draft of the new Agreement began in February 2019 and were completed in July 2022. The initialing took place on July 6, 2022 in Brussels.
The document comprises 9 sections, 356 articles, and 14 annexes. It covers virtually all areas of bilateral relations, and establishes a comprehensive legal foundation for strengthening political dialogue and deepening cooperation across all mutually beneficial areas, with particular emphasis on trade and investment, sustainable development, science and education, innovation and high technologies, the environment, and climate change.
The signing of the Agreement marks the beginning of a new chapter in Uzbekistan–EU relations, elevating the multifaceted partnership to an unprecedented level.
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At the headquarters of the European Council “Europa” in Brussels, President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev met with President of the European Council António Costa and President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen.
Issues of further strengthening of the multifaceted cooperation between Uzbekistan and the European Union, in the context of implementing the agreements reached following the first “Central Asia – EU” summit held in Samarkand in April this year, were discussed.
The leaders highly commended the signing of today’s historic Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement between the Republic of Uzbekistan and the European Union. It was emphasized that this comprehensive document not only expands the legal framework but also sets forth a new agenda for cooperation between Uzbekistan and the EU.
It will also give strong impetus to engagement with EU member states, particularly in the fields of trade, investment, transport, energy, climate, high technologies, cultural and humanitarian cooperation.
Sides also welcomed the completion of bilateral negotiations with the EU on Uzbekistan’s accession to the World Trade Organization.
Deep satisfaction was expressed with the active and productive contacts and exchanges taking place at all levels. On the eve of the visit, the Uzbek delegation took part in the second EU “Global Gateway” Forum, while recent days also saw the successful meetings of the Cooperation Council and the Subcommittee on Economy, Trade and Investment.
Yesterday, a large joint business forum was held, and today – a roundtable with the heads of leading European companies and financial institutions. As a result of these meetings, agreements were reached on the implementation of new joint projects worth over 10 billion euros in the fields of energy, chemistry, critical minerals, logistics, textiles, and pharmaceuticals. This complements the existing project portfolio with European companies, which already exceeds 40 billion euros.
To maintain the strong momentum of partnership, the parties emphasized the importance of further strengthening institutional cooperation mechanisms and implementing new promising projects in investment, critical minerals, energy, transport, science, and education. The importance of facilitating visa procedures to promote closer business and people-to-people ties, was noted.
The leaders also exchanged views on current issues of international agenda and regional cooperation.
Following the meeting, a Joint Statement was adopted.
Official web-site of the President of Uzbekistan
