Brussels, 6 September 2022 (TDI): High Representative of EU Josep Borrell met with Acting Foreign Minister of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Vladimir Norov, in Brussels. Both discussed issues of Uzbek-EU cooperation.
They also discussed the preparations for the Ministerial Meeting and Conference on Connectivity between the EU and Central Asia, which will take place in Samarkand in November.
Met with EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs of @EU_Commission, @JosepBorrellF, discussed issues of Uzbek-EU cooperation.
Exchanged views on preparation for EU-Central Asia Ministerial Meeting and Conference on interconnectivity to be held in November in Samarkand. pic.twitter.com/PdaNXGGn93— Vladimir Norov (@VladimirNorov) September 6, 2022
EU and Uzbekistan strengthen cooperation
The meeting between the EU Representative and Foreign Minister Vladimir Norov provided an opportunity to discuss relations between them. Both sides welcomed the recent completion of the negotiation of the Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (EPCA).
The EPCA will provide the EU-Uzbekistan collaboration with a new, cutting-edge, and ambitious framework. The agreement changed the legal framework that governs trade and commercial relations considerably and incorporated new areas of collaboration.
Borrell appreciated the political and economic changes made by Uzbekistan and expressed the hope that they would be enduring.
Moreover, Borrell asked about the inquiry started following the violent protests that took place in the independent Republic of Karakalpakstan at the beginning of July.
He also emphasized the significance of constructive discussion with all parties, particularly for constitutional amendments.
Furthermore, the High Representative of the EU also expressed gratitude to Uzbekistan for hosting the 17 November EU-Central Asia Ministerial Meeting and the 18 November EU-Central Asia Connectivity Conference.
In its interactions with the Central Asian area, the EU placed a high focus on connectivity.
Lastly, Borrell and Minister Norov discussed the upcoming summits of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), both of which will be held in Uzbekistan this year.
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EU and Uzbekistan relations
Since Uzbekistan’s independence in 1991, relations between the European Union and the Republic of Uzbekistan have been progressively improving.
The EU and Central Asia Strategy for a New Partnership set the overarching cooperation objectives, and priority domains for the EU’s participation in Central Asia, and incorporates relations with Uzbekistan.
An expanded bilateral connection was made by a Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA) between the EU and the Republic of Uzbekistan in 1999.
The PCA covers political dialogue, business, and investment, trade in goods, and protection of intellectual, industrial, and commercial property.
Moreover, it also includes legislative cooperation, cooperation on democracy and human rights, economic cooperation, cultural cooperation, and many more.
