On January 23, the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Uzbekistan Dilshod Akhatov met with the EU Special Representative for Central Asia Peter Burian, who arrived in Tashkent to attend the high-level conference “EU – Central Asia” on cooperation in the field of environment, climate change and water use.
At the meeting, the sides discussed issues of further deepening bilateral cooperation in all key areas of mutual relations.
The parties noted with satisfaction the launch of the negotiation process on the draft Agreement on expanded partnership and cooperation between Uzbekistan and the European Union. In this context, proposals were considered for holding the first round of negotiations on this issue in early February, in Tashkent.
The European side expressed support for Multi-Partner Human Security Trust Fund for the Aral Sea Region initiated by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, which was established with participation of the UN Secretary-General António Guterres.
The EU Special Representative confirmed the readiness of the European Union to support and provide technical assistance to Uzbekistan in the process of joining the World Trade Organization.
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan, the parties also exchanged views on the schedule of holding regular meetings of joint institutions of interaction, including of Uzbekistan – European Union Cooperation Committee and the Subcommittee on Economy, Trade and Investment, as well as discussed prospects for receiving by Uzbekistan of tariff benefits within the framework of the Generalized System of Preferences Plus.
The Head of EU Delegation to Uzbekistan, Ambassador Eduards Stiprais, attended the negotiations.
