TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, October 24. Over the past
seven years, trade turnover between Uzbekistan and the European
Union has doubled, while the number of joint ventures with European
capital has surpassed 1,000, Trend reports, citing the Uzbek president’s
office.

This was announced during President of Uzbekistan Shavkat
Mirziyoyev’s official visit to Belgium, where he held a roundtable
with executives of leading European companies and banks. The
president articulated that these metrics signify an escalation in
investor sentiment regarding Uzbekistan’s progressive economic
restructuring initiatives.

The meeting brought together EU Commissioner for Enlargement
Marta Kos and senior representatives of major European corporations
and financial institutions, including Vandewiele, Linde, Rhenus
Logistics, Ahlers Logistics, Lasselsberger Group, Pietro
Fiorentini, NextChem, Meridiam, SUEZ, FMO, the European Investment
Bank, Commerzbank, KfW, Textima, Chimcomplex, Metso, and
others.

President Mirziyoyev emphasized that the participation of
Europe’s leading companies demonstrates a high level of mutual
trust and a shared commitment to strengthening cooperation. He
noted that the signing of the Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation
Agreement will open a new chapter in relations between Uzbekistan
and the European Union.

The president also highlighted the EU’s strong support for
Uzbekistan’s economic modernization, the implementation of deep
structural reforms, the introduction of advanced technologies and
corporate governance standards, and the development of innovative
industries.

Additionally, the president shone a light on the EU’s backing
for Uzbekistan’s economic makeover, sweeping reforms, and the
roll-out of cutting-edge technologies, corporate governance
benchmarks, and trailblazing industries.

Meanwhile, a signing ceremony for the Enhanced Partnership and
Cooperation Agreement between Uzbekistan and the European Union
took place in Brussels on October 24, in the presence of President
Shavkat Mirziyoyev, President of the European Council António
Costa, and President of the European Commission Ursula von der
Leyen. The new agreement updates and significantly expands the
legal framework for Uzbekistan–EU relations, replacing the 1996
Partnership and Cooperation Agreement.

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