Today, the President Shavkat Mirziyoyev hosted the Special Representative of the European Union (EU) for Central Asia, Terhi Hakala.

According to the presidential press service , the parties considered the ways to further expand the Uzbek-European multifaceted relations and strengthen of regional cooperation, and exchanged views on the international agenda.

The sides also focused on the development of a constructive political dialogue, promotion of programs and projects of mutually beneficial cooperation in the trade, economic, investment, financial and technical fields, as well as in the field of ecology, education and tourism.

Reportedly, the EU Special Representative Terhi Hakala emphasized that the EU highly valued and consistently supported the continuation of the program of irreversible reforms in Uzbekistan, aimed at further deepening democratic and socio-economic transformations in the country and commended the multifaceted and dynamic nature of bilateral ties, which in recent years had reached a qualitatively new level, was.

Evidence of this is the adoption of an updated EU strategy for Central Asia, granting Uzbekistan the status of a beneficiary of the GSP + system, as well as initialing an agreement on enhanced partnership and cooperation.

“Trade, economic and investment cooperation is developing fruitfully. In just 9 months of this year, mutual trade has grown by 15 percent. The volume of exports of Uzbek products to the EU countries increased by 70 percent. The number of joint projects and enterprises in Uzbekistan has exceeded 1,000. With the participation of European investors, projects are being implemented in high-tech industries, such as energy and automotive, agriculture and other areas,” the press service added.

During the talks, the sides emphasized the importance of developing and implementing programs aimed at promoting sustainable development and strengthening regional connectivity and identified the transport sector, innovations, digitalization, "green" economy, alternative energy and rational water use, inclusive education as priority areas.

Providing assistance to a swift peaceful settlement and socio-economic reconstruction in Afghanistan were also considered.