02.06.2023

Upon his arrival in Cholpon Ata on June 2, the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev held talks with the President of the European Council Charles Michel, within the program of the second meeting of the Leaders of Central Asia and the EU.

A wide range of issues aimed at further deepening the multifaceted Uzbek-European relations and developing practical cooperation in the regional format were considered during the meeting.

After warmly congratulating our President on the results of the constitutional referendum, the President of the European Council Charles Michel expressed his full support for the program of irreversible democratic transformations and economic reforms taking place in the New Uzbekistan, and wished the successful holding of forthcoming important political events. 

The sides noted with particular satisfaction the high dynamics of bilateral contacts and exchanges in accordance with the agreements reached at the top-level meeting in Tashkent in October 2022.

During this period, Uzbekistan successfully hosted the first Regional Interconnectivity Conference, the regular Civil Society Forum and the annual meeting of the Board of Governors of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development.

The trade turnover between Uzbekistan and the EU has increased by 70% since the beginning of this year. The investment portfolio of projects involving leading European companies in high-tech sectors of our economy has exceeded 20 billion euros.

The leaders of Uzbekistan and the EU separately touched upon the issues of increasing volumes and diversification of bilateral trade, the extension of preferential tariffs under GSP+, the development of efficient transport routes, primarily the Trans-Caspian transit corridor, the implementation of joint programs and projects in green energy, innovations and high technologies, digitalization, ecology, education, tourism, and other areas.

There was also an exchange of views on current issues on the regional agenda. The importance of continuing consultations and humanitarian assistance in Afghanistan was underlined.