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Europe wants to be Uzbekistan’s partner for new chapter in its history — European Commission president
The events of the European Economy Days started in Tashkent on November 6. The two-day forum, held for the first time, brought together more than 300 delegates, business representatives, as well as government and international organizations to discuss the most pressing issues of economic cooperation, a correspondent of Gazeta.uz reports.
Adviser to the President of Uzbekistan on Economic Development Ravshan Gulyamov read out Shavkat Mirziyoyev's address to the forum participants.
In it, the head of state expressed confidence that the conference would make a great contribution to strengthening trade, economic, investment and cooperation relations between Uzbekistan and Europe and would serve to unlock the potential for cooperation between the parties.
Shavkat Mirziyoyev noted that in recent years, trade turnover between Uzbekistan and the European Union has doubled, and the European market has become one of the largest for Uzbek products.
The EU GSP+ system of trade preferences increases Uzbekistan's export potential and allows local entrepreneurs to sell products on the European market without customs duties, he added.
Today, almost 1,000 enterprises with capital from European countries operate in Uzbekistan.
"You can be sure that we will create the most favorable conditions for all companies to implement joint projects in the fields of electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, chemistry, mining and metallurgy, energy, agriculture, textile production, tourism and others," the president's address says.
The head of state called on European companies to take part in projects for the processing of critical raw materials and the implementation of promising infrastructure projects within the Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor. It is also called the Middle Corridor, which connects Asian countries through the Caspian Sea with European countries and runs, in particular, through China, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Georgia and Turkey. This route is an alternative to land routes passing through the territory of Russia, Belarus and Poland.
The delegates were also greeted by the President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen in the form of a video message.
She noted that today Uzbekistan wants to open up to the world again and regain "a central position not only in Asia, but also in global trade routes and investment flows."
"And Europe wants to be your partner in this new chapter of Uzbekistan's thousand-year history. In recent years, Uzbekistan and Europe have become much closer to each other than ever before... Since 2021, we have opened the European market for Uzbek goods. Uzbekistan's exports have grown rapidly, in particular in the textile and metallurgical sectors. And there is huge potential for even greater growth," the head of the European Commission noted.
Ursula von der Leyen said that together with international partners, the European Union will invest up to 10 billion euros in the Trans-Caspian Corridor, which will connect Europe and Central Asia in less than 15 days.
"We are also working to connect Uzbekistan to our satellite network in order to bring the best digital communications to the most remote corners of your country. Uzbekistan is located at the crossroads of our continents and should also be at the center of our global connections," she said.
In December 2023, it became known that the European Union intends to help Central Asian countries, including Uzbekistan, diversify their Internet sources. In particular, the EU offers the countries of the region European satellite communications developed by SES. Unlike the American Starlink, SES satellites rotate in the middle orbit of the planet, not low.
The European Union and Uzbekistan are expanding cooperation in strategic sectors, Ursula von der Leyen continued. In April, the parties signed an agreement on the supply chain of critical minerals.
"We know that some investors are only interested in the extraction of raw materials, but we are not like that. We want to support the creation of local production with jobs for local people and added value at the highest standards. Because this is the best way to create a more sustainable supply chain," she emphasized.
The President of the European Commission announced the imminent signing of a new agreement on enhanced partnership and cooperation with Uzbekistan, which "will further increase investment and trade between Uzbekistan and Europe."
She recalled that the first ever Central Asia-EU summit will be held in Samarkand next year.
"The best days of our partnership are yet to come!" Ursula von der Leyen concluded.
