What did Mirziyoyev and Michel agree on?

Today 28 October, the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev, and the President of the Council of Europe Charles Michel held a meeting in Tashkent.

President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and President Charles Michel confirmed that relations between Uzbekistan and the European Union have reached a new level in terms of quality, and have taken on a wide scope during the negotiations held in a sincere and friendly spirit.

The parties welcomed the European Union's efforts to strengthen relations and interregional cooperation between Uzbekistan and Central Asia.

It was agreed to implement joint efforts to give new momentum to the relations between Uzbekistan and the EU and deepen them.

It was positively assessed that the joint mechanisms created for bilateral and interregional cooperation are working productively.  Willingness to work together was expressed to further increase the efficiency of using their potential and opportunities.

The parties welcomed the signing of the agreement on Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation, which opens a new page in the relationship between Uzbekistan and the European Union and serves to strengthen cooperation on a wide range of issues in the fields of politics, the economy, security, and humanitarianism.

The presidents expressed hope that this important document will be signed and ratified as soon as possible.

The parties stressed that in international affairs and bilateral relations, they strictly adhere to the UN Charter and generally recognized norms of international law, support and develop cooperation based on the principles of equality, mutual understanding, and consideration of interests.

The European Union strongly supports the policy of reforms implemented within the framework of the development strategy of New Uzbekistan and hopes that they will be stable and will not go back.

The presidents highly appreciated the constructive dialogue and active cooperation in the field of human rights, democracy, and the rule of law.  The parties are determined to help strengthen the cooperation between Uzbekistan and the EU in this regard.

The President of the Council of Europe noted with satisfaction that the leadership of Uzbekistan is paying more attention to the issues of ensuring gender equality, supporting the rights and interests of women, youth and children, and the EU fully supports the implementation of projects and programs in these areas.  He expressed his readiness to continue the assistance. The European Union noted the importance of full respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms.

Particular attention was paid to attracting direct investments, the latest technologies, best practices, and high standards from EU companies to Uzbekistan.

The presidents welcomed the rapid development of cooperation between Uzbekistan and the European Union in the fields of economy, trade, and investments.  In April of last year, Uzbekistan was granted the status of a beneficiary country of the "GSP+" system and an opportunity was created for the duty-free delivery of a wide range of Uzbek products to the EU countries, an important step in this regard.

The parties paid special attention to the need to take joint measures to accelerate the implementation of the EU's strategy for Central Asia, and on 18 November 2022, in the city of Samarkand, in the "EU-Central Asia" format, "For Sustainable Development"  They welcomed the "Global Gateway" conference.

The Uzbek side is ready to propose the adoption of a "road map" on the implementation of joint projects in the priority areas of cooperation at the conference.The creation of stable transport corridors, including the development of the Trans-Caspian multimodal route, was identified as a systematic factor for increasing mutual trade.

The presidents noted the importance of expanding port capacity, expanding ferry and rail fleets, harmonizing customs procedures, and implementing digital solutions for handling cargo and crossing borders.  The implementation of such projects is fully consistent with the goals and objectives of the "Global Gateway" initiative of the EU.

The Uzbek side emphasized the importance of the construction of the "Termiz - Mazari-Sharif - Kabul - Peshawar" railway, which serves to deepen interdependence.

The Uzbek side expressed its readiness to create the necessary conditions for attracting direct investments from foreign, including EU, companies.

The parties welcomed the approval of the long-term indicative program of EU financial and technical support for Uzbekistan for 2021-2027 and the start of its implementation.

They noted the importance of using the existing significant potential for mutually beneficial cooperation in the areas of digitalization, "green" economy, energy efficiency, and water use, including the implementation of European best practices and the implementation of joint projects in these areas.

Thanks were expressed to the European Union for always supporting the initiatives of Uzbekistan on water and environmental issues, including the creation of the UN Trust Fund for Human Security for the Aral Bay region.  The parties agree on the importance of continuing its activities.

It was emphasized that it is important to deepen cooperation in the field of education and science, including using the potential of the "Erasmus+" and "Horizon Europe" programs.  The parties welcomed the implementation of the first regional project "DARYA" on professional education.

The Uzbek side proposed to hold the first tourism forum "EU-Central Asia" in Uzbekistan in 2023.

Current issues of the regional and international agenda were discussed.

The importance of continuing joint efforts to strengthen interdependence, security, and stability in Central Asia was emphasized.

In this sense, it was noted a need to prevent Afghanistan from becoming a source of chronic threats to regional and international security.

He noted that the prevention of the impending humanitarian disaster in winter, including the provision of humanitarian aid to the Afghan people, is the first issue of concern.

To quickly agree on the algorithm for fulfilling the mutual obligations of the parties, the Uzbek side separately noted its initiative to create an international group for negotiations with the interim government of Afghanistan.

To achieve long-term stability, there was a need to ensure an inclusive political process and human rights, including women's rights, in Afghanistan.

In conclusion, the Presidents agreed to strengthen the open and constructive dialogue and partnership between Uzbekistan and the EU, as well as to make Central Asia a region of peace, security, stability, and consistent development, with the aim of good neighborliness, mutual respect, trust and compliance with the basic norms of international law.  They also reaffirmed their commitment to further expand regional cooperation and interdependence based on the principles of cooperation.