Uzbekistan, EU discuss prospects for further expanding cooperation

ISTANBUL

Uzbekistan and the European Union discussed prospects for expanding their multifaceted cooperation Thursday during an inaugural summit between the leaders of the 27-member bloc and Central Asian states.

Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev held talks with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Antonio Costa on the sidelines of the first Central Asia-EU Summit, which is being held from April 3-4 in the city of Samarkand, according to a statement from Uzbekistan’s presidency.

"The issues of further development and deepening of Uzbek-European multifaceted cooperation, primarily in the trade, economic and investment spheres, were thoroughly discussed," the statement said.

Noting that the three leaders highlighted the active contacts and work between Uzbekistan and the EU, the statement said an agreement on "enhanced partnership and cooperation" is being prepared for signing, without providing further details.

"The trade turnover of Uzbekistan with the EU countries is growing dynamically. The portfolio of investment projects with leading European companies exceeds €30 billion ($33.1 billion)," it said.

The statement went on to say that during the talks, the three leaders also focused on promoting joint programs and cooperation projects in various fields, such as innovation, green energy, agriculture, transport and logistics.

It said they noted the importance of continuing active exchanges in the fields of tourism, culture, science, education and health care and that the summit’s agenda was also discussed.

"An exchange of views also took place on current aspects of international and regional policy, including the issue of promoting the socio-economic development of Afghanistan," it added.

The meeting came after a one-on-one meeting between Mirziyoyev and von der Leyen earlier in the day.

A later statement by the Uzbek presidency said that an agreement was signed following the two meetings on the establishment of a regional office of the European Investment Bank in the country's capital, Tashkent.

"The opening of an office in Tashkent will expand mutually beneficial cooperation and increase the volume of investments attracted to the development of a 'green' economy, innovative industry and modern infrastructure in Uzbekistan and in Central Asia as a whole," it added.

Later, Costa and von der Leyen also held talks with Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and Tajik President Emomali Rahmon.