On October 25 in Brussels, Foreign Minister Bakhtiyor Saidov and Executive Deputy Chairman of the European Commission Valdis Dombrovskis discussed the agenda of the “ever-expanding partnership between Uzbekistan and the EU, especially in the economic dimension,” the Foreign Minister said in his Telegram channel.
“Had a pleasure meeting with H.E. Valdis Dombrovskis, Executive Vice-President of the European Commission. We both highlighted the broad agenda of an ever-expanding partnership between Uzbekistan and the EU, especially in the economic dimension. Further promoting bilateral trade, increasing the share of Uzbekistan’s exports to the European market, supporting Uzbekistan's accession to WTO, and collaborating on critical raw materials were among the key topics of our discussion. We also signed the Financial agreement for the implementation of a project on Agriculture.”
Following this meeting, the website of the European Union Global Gateway initiative said that: “In recognition of the importance of securing supply of critical raw materials and diversification of industrial value chains, during the Global Gateway Forum in Brussels, the EU and Uzbekistan agreed to work on a Memorandum of Understanding in the field of sustainable critical raw materials (CRM). This strategic partnership will provide a platform for both sides to advance trade and investments into secure, sustainable, and resilient raw materials value chains. Moreover, Uzbekistan confirmed that they would join the Critical Raw Materials Club announced by President von der Leyen earlier this year.”
Uzbekistan is in possession of large reserves of a variety of raw materials such as silver, titanium, and lithium, being for example the world’s fifth-ranking uranium supplier and having the eleventh largest proven copper reserves, making them a vital player in the global critical raw material landscape.
European Commission Executive Vice President for an economy that works for people and Trade Commissioner, Valdis Dombrovskis, said:
“I welcome today’s announcement of strengthened cooperation between the European Union and Uzbekistan on critical raw materials, opening the process for an eventual EU-Uzbekistan strategic partnership. Uzbekistan will also join the CRM Club, an initiative launched earlier this year. Expanding our network of trusted partnerships will contribute to addressing global challenges to secure sustainable raw materials that are indispensable for the green and digital transitions.”
European Commissioner for International Partnerships, Jutta Urpilainen, said:
"Uzbekistan's rich reserves of critical raw materials are a great asset for Uzbekistan and sustainable green transition globally. It is with great pleasure that we welcome a closer collaboration, which will help ensure a sustainable and secure supply chain for the world's evolving industries. Global Gateway is a mutually beneficial partnership offer – we want to great local added value, with benefits for the Uzbek people. I look forward to fruitful discussions, which would eventually lead to the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding in the field of critical raw materials.”
Minister of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan, Bakhtiyor Saidov, said:
"Today we launching negotiations on an important bilateral document - a Memorandum of Understanding on strategic cooperation in the field of critical raw materials. I am confident that the future signing of such a document will give additional impetus to the development of multifaceted and mutually beneficial cooperation between Uzbekistan and the EU. Strategic partnership in the field of critical raw materials is one of the most promising areas of our cooperation. "
