Tashkent (TDI): Uzbekistan has welcomed King Abdullah II ibn Al Hussein of Jordan on a state visit at the invitation of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev. This high-level engagement underscores Uzbekistan’s growing commitment to a multi-vector foreign policy and regional cooperation.
Diplomatic relations between Uzbekistan and Jordan, established in 1993, have steadily evolved. While early interactions were largely ceremonial, recent years have seen increasing momentum in bilateral engagement. The current visit marks a turning point in efforts to give the partnership a more structured and long-term character.
A major milestone was reached earlier this year when Uzbekistan’s Foreign Minister Bakhtiyor Saidov led a high-level delegation to Amman. During the visit, the two sides signed an agreement to abolish visa requirements for diplomatic passport holders and introduced a Joint Program of Cooperation between the foreign ministries for 2025–2027.
Although current trade volume between the two countries remains modest, around $4.6 million in 2024, both sides have identified clear strategies to boost economic cooperation. Planned initiatives include a Preferential Trade Agreement, collaboration in mining and agriculture, and joint ventures in pharmaceuticals, textiles, and digital technologies.
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The establishment of a Uzbekistan–Jordan Business Council is expected to serve as a platform for expanding private sector ties.
This visit also takes place in the broader context of Uzbekistan’s expanding ties with the Middle East. Between 2020 and 2023, Tashkent’s trade with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries grew nearly fivefold, reflecting an increasingly outward-looking economic strategy.
Cultural and humanitarian cooperation is another pillar of the Uzbekistan–Jordan relationship. Shared Islamic heritage and cultural values provide a strong foundation for academic exchanges, joint educational initiatives, and collaborative work in theology, archaeology, and healthcare.
As Uzbekistan continues to engage with Middle Eastern partners, King Abudullah II’s visit is poised to open new horizons not just for bilateral relations, but for greater connectivity across Central Asia and the Arab world.
Sohail Majeed
Sohail Majeed is a Special Correspondent at The Diplomatic Insight. He has twelve plus years of experience in journalism & reporting. He covers International Affairs, Diplomacy, UN, Sports, Climate Change, Economy, Technology, and Health.
