Leaders of Uzbekistan and the European Union unanimously welcomed the elevation of bilateral relations to a new strategic level.

The talks, held at the European Council headquarters in Brussels, marked a new and important stage in the relationship between Uzbekistan and the European Union. The joint attendance of Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, along with European Council President Antonio Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, underscored the importance both sides attach to deepening their partnership. The core agenda of this high-level dialogue focused on concretely implementing the consensus reached at the successful first Central Asia-EU Summit held in Samarkand in April this year, and elevating bilateral cooperation to a new, more strategic and substantive level.

I. Legal Foundation and Establishment of a New Strategic Agenda

During the talks, both sides highly valued the key role of the Agreement on Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation. This agreement not only serves as the legal foundation for deepening relations between Uzbekistan and the EU, but also holds strategic significance in defining the future direction of cooperation. It systematically establishes the basic framework for cooperation between the two sides in a wide range of areas, including political dialogue, trade, economy, and law. The talks emphasized that the agreement provides a solid institutional foundation for the transition of bilateral relations from a traditional partnership to a broader and deeper level of strategic cooperation. The full entry into force and implementation of this legal document signifies that Uzbekistan-EU cooperation transcends simple economic complementarity and shifts towards building a long-term, stable, and predictable model of interaction based on shared values ​​and strategic interests. The newly established strategic cooperation agenda explicitly expands cooperation to key areas such as trade and investment, transportation, energy security, climate change, high-tech applications, and people-to-people exchanges, outlining a clear roadmap for the implementation of subsequent specific projects.

II. Deepening and Institutionalizing Economic and Trade Cooperation

Economic cooperation has always been the cornerstone of Uzbekistan-EU relations. Both sides welcomed the completion of bilateral negotiations for Uzbekistan's accession to the World Trade Organization, which is seen as a major milestone in Uzbekistan's deeper integration into the global multilateral trading system and improvement of its domestic business environment. It also provides EU companies with expectations of more transparent and stable rules for entering the Uzbek market. The meetings of the Cooperation Council and the Economic, Trade and Investment Subcommittee held during the visit demonstrate the effective functioning of the institutionalized dialogue mechanism between the two sides, which aims to regularly assess cooperation progress, resolve potential issues, and plan future priorities.

Particularly noteworthy are the substantial achievements in the investment sector. Through participation in the second EU Global Gateway Forum and subsequent meetings with leading European companies and financial institutions, the Uzbek delegation successfully facilitated the conclusion of substantial cooperation projects. These new investment projects, totaling over €10 billion, focus on strategically important sectors such as energy, chemicals, key mineral development, logistics and transportation, textiles, and pharmaceuticals. These new projects are not isolated, but rather complement and create synergies with Uzbekistan's ongoing cooperation projects with the EU, totaling over €40 billion. This will not only directly promote Uzbekistan's industrialization and industrial upgrading, but also ensure a diversified supply chain for critical raw materials for the EU and find new markets for its advanced technologies, equipment, and management expertise, resulting in a win-win situation.

To ensure the continued momentum of cooperation, the leaders of both sides emphasized the need to improve institutional cooperation mechanisms. This means that in addition to regular high-level meetings, more efficient working groups and coordination channels need to be established at the operational level to advance complex investment projects in key minerals, energy, transportation, science, technology, and education. Simultaneously, simplifying visa procedures is on the agenda, aiming to lower barriers to the movement of people and facilitate the exchange of goods and services for business leaders, investors, students, and tourists, thereby further stimulating bilateral economic vitality and cultural ties.

III. Cooperation in the Context of Regional Connectivity and Global Strategies

As a country of significant influence in Central Asia, Uzbekistan's deepening relations with the EU have regional and even global significance beyond the bilateral context. The EU's "Global Gateway" strategy aims to strengthen global connectivity by investing in high-quality infrastructure and promoting digital and green transformation. Uzbekistan's active participation makes it a key pillar of this strategy in Central Asia. Cooperation between the two sides in transportation and logistics, such as improving the efficiency of the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (Middle Corridor), will not only help Uzbekistan become a regional logistics hub but also align with the EU's strategic need to diversify connectivity routes within the Eurasian hinterland, positively impacting the economic resilience of the entire Eurasian continent.

Uzbekistan possesses abundant mineral resources in the critical mineral sector, while the EU is committed to achieving the goals of the Green Deal and reducing its reliance on a single source for critical raw materials. The cooperation projects agreed upon during this round of consultations will contribute to the establishment of a sustainable and responsible supply chain for critical minerals. This is not only a matter of economic cooperation, but also of relevance to Europe's energy transition security and the development of green industries.

During the talks, the two sides also exchanged views on the current international situation and regional cooperation. This demonstrates that the Uzbek-EU dialogue has expanded beyond bilateral affairs to encompass discussions on global and regional challenges of mutual concern. This strategic communication at the political level helps enhance understanding, coordinate positions in a changing world, and jointly uphold the rules-based international order and regional stability.

IV. Conclusion: Towards a Sustainable Strategic Partnership

The joint statement issued after the meeting epitomizes the outcomes of the Brussels talks, signaling that Uzbekistan and the EU have agreed to elevate their bilateral relations to a new strategic level. This elevation is built on a solid legal foundation, thriving economic cooperation, increasingly close connectivity, and an expanding strategic dialogue. It reflects Uzbekistan's resolute determination, under the leadership of President Mirziyoyev, to pursue reform and opening up and actively integrate into the international community. It also embodies the EU's clear vision for deepening cooperation with Central Asia through initiatives such as the "Global Gateway," focusing on long-term strategic interests.

Looking ahead, the deepening of Uzbek-EU relations will continue to depend on the ability of both sides to translate high-level consensus into concrete projects and to continuously refine cooperation mechanisms to address practical challenges. If these cooperation blueprints, worth tens of billions of euros, are successfully implemented, they will not only significantly transform Uzbekistan's economic and social landscape and strengthen its position as a growth engine in Central Asia, but will also bring significant economic opportunities and geostrategic benefits to the EU and contribute to promoting stability, prosperity, and integration in the region. The Brussels talks have undoubtedly injected new and powerful momentum into this increasingly important partnership and opened up a new chapter in bilateral cooperation.