Today, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev met with European Council President António Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen ahead of the first Central Asia-European Union Summit, the presidential press service said.
The parties reportedly discussed the ways to develop and deepen the Uzbek-European cooperation, primarily in the trade, economic and investment areas.
They commended the active contacts and productive exchanges at various levels. An agreement on enhanced partnership and cooperation is being prepared for signing.
The portfolio of investment projects with leading European companies has surpassed 30 billion euros. Uzbekistan is also a major beneficiary of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, and a regional office of the European Investment Bank is opening in Tashkent.
The two top officials of the EU highly appreciated and expressed strong support for the economic reform program to build a New Uzbekistan, as well as the policy of strengthening good-neighborliness, trust and partnership in Central Asia, the press service added.
During the talks, the parties also focused on advancing joint programs and cooperation projects in the field of innovation, green energy, extractive industries, agriculture, transport, logistics, digitalization and other areas.
They pointed to the importance of continuing active exchanges in the field of tourism, culture, science, education and healthcare and discussed agenda of the upcoming first Central Asia-European Union summit and the prospects for strengthening the interconnectedness of the two regions within the framework of the European Global Gateway strategy.
The leaders of Uzbekistan and the EU advocated for a major leap in economic cooperation.
The parties also exchanged views on issues of international and regional policy, including promoting the socio-economic development of Afghanistan.
Ursula von der Leyen thanked the President of Uzbekistan for hosting the Summit on her X page.
“Uzbekistan & the Central Asian countries are partners of choice for Europe. We have a long-standing friendship based on vibrant trade, ideas and innovation exchanges. The foundations of a close and strategic partnership.,” she said. “Tomorrow we will launch a new Strategic Partnership with Central Asia. It means we can rely on each other. And in today’s world, this matters more than ever.”
