Tashkent, Uzbekistan, 6 November 2024
On 5 November 2024, the Government of Uzbekistan and the European Union (EU) held the seventh meeting of the Sub-committee for Development Cooperation in Tashkent. Both sides took stock of ongoing projects in the areas of good governance, green economic transition and agriculture, and agreed to foster closer cooperation in the EU’s Global Gateway for transport, critical raw materials, digitalisation and territorial planning.
The Sub-committee was co-chaired by Mr Dilshod Axundjanov, Head of the Department of Fundraising of International Financial Institutions and Foreign Governmental Financial Organisations, of the Ministry of Investment, Industry and Trade, and Ms Sarah Rinaldi, Head of Unit for the Middle East and Central Asia, European Commission’s Directorate-General for International Partnerships (DG INTPA).
During the meeting, both parties reflected on the progress of the ongoing EU-funded support, such as: the project ‘’Further Improvement of Public Services Delivery in Uzbekistan’’, which has increased citizens’ access to public services in rural areas; projects addressing corruption; and budget support and expertise worth 27 million euro for agricultural reforms, improving food safety and increasing incomes of farmers.
The EU and the Uzbek government also exchanged on potential new areas of cooperation such as critical raw materials, transport, territorial planning of urban and rural areas and women’s economic empowerment. As part of the Multi-annual Indicative Programme for 2021-2027, the EU will allocate around43 million euro for new bilateral programmes to be launched between 2025 and 2027. Additional 30 million euro will be allocated to regional programmes supporting border security, digitalisation, incl. access to the Internet, and national migration policies among others.
The Multi-annual Indicative Programme for 2021-2027 sets the priorities for the EU-Uzbekistan cooperation in line with the 2030 Uzbekistan Strategy and other national plans. The priority areas are effective governance; green and digital growth; sustainable agri-food sector. The Programme was developed by the EU following in-depth consultation with the government of Uzbekistan and the civil society.
The European Union is an economic and political union of 27 European countries. It is founded on the values of respect for human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, the rule of law and respect for human rights, including the rights of persons belonging to minorities. It acts globally to promote sustainable development of societies, environment and economies, so that everyone can benefit.
Source: Press and information team of the Delegation to UZBEKISTAN
Video message by President von der Leyen at the European Economic Days in Uzbekistan
Dear friends at the EuroUZ Association for Economic Cooperation,
Members of the Uzbek and European business communities,
Ladies and gentlemen,
For centuries, Uzbekistan has been the beating heart of global trade. European merchants would come to Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva for cloth and ceramics. And they would also bring back the tales of your magnificent palaces, your stunning landscapes, and your incredibly diverse culture.
Today, Uzbekistan wants to open up to the world again. You want to take back your central position not only in Asia, but in global trade routes and investment flows. And Europe wants to be your partner, for this new chapter in Uzbekistan’s millennial history. Already in recent years, Uzbekistan and Europe have become closer than ever before.
Let me just mention three examples.
The first is on trade. Since 2021, we have opened up European markets to Uzbek goods. Uzbek exports to Europe have boomed, for instance, in textiles and metals. And the potential growth is still massive.
Second, on investments. With our Global Gateway investment programme, we are supporting your goal to be more connected to the rest of the world.
For instance, together with our international partners, we are investing 10 billion euros in the Trans-Caspian Corridor, that is, the shortest and safest route between Europe and East Asia. It will link Europe and Central Asia in less than 15 days. We are also exploring the possibility of connecting Uzbekistan to our satellite networks, to bring top-class digital connections to your most remote areas. Uzbekistan is at the crossroads of our continents. And it must also be at the centre of global networks.
Third, we are expanding our cooperation in strategic sectors. Just last April, we signed a partnership on the Sustainable Raw Materials value chains. We know that some global investors are mainly interested in extracting the raw materials from the ground.
But that’s not us. We want to support the creation of local industries, with local jobs, local added value, and the highest standards. Because this is the best way to build more resilient global value chains.
And I hope that this economic forum can serve to establish new contacts between our companies – and translate our new agreement into new business opportunities.
Dear friends, all of this is just the beginning. Very soon, we will sign the new Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement, which will boost even more trade and investments between Uzbekistan and Europe. And I look forward to the first-ever Central Asia-Europe Summit in Samarkand next year.
As we celebrate 30 years of diplomatic relations between Uzbekistan and the European Union, I am convinced of one thing: The best days of our partnership are ahead of us.
So let me wish to all of you a good time in Tashkent.
Long live Europe.
Source – EU Commission