BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 25. In recent years,
Uzbekistan has been steadily strengthening its position as one of
the key centers of cooperation and development in Central Asia.
President Shavkat Mirziyoyev’s visit to Brussels became a logical
continuation of this course and one of the most significant events
in the history of Uzbekistan–Europe relations. The signing of the
Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (EPCA) with the
European Union not only opened a new chapter in their interaction
but also marked an important step toward strengthening practical
cooperation based on mutual interests and trust.

“In Samarkand, we committed to deepening our relations with
Central Asian countries. Today, we are delivering on that
commitment by reinforcing our long-standing relationship with
Uzbekistan. The Enhanced Cooperation and Partnership Agreement
provides a framework for Uzbekistan and the European Union to work
together for the mutual benefit of our citizens,” said European
Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

For the EU, the EPCA represents a strategic move: Brussels aims
to strengthen its presence in Central Asia, where China, Russia,
and Türkiye are increasing their influence. The European Union,
however, is relying not on political pressure, but on economics,
technology, and ‘soft power’. For Uzbekistan, the new agreement
opens the path toward deeper integration into the global economy,
increased investment attractiveness, and consolidation of its
status as an independent and reliable partner.

Economic ties between Tashkent and Brussels are already
developing rapidly. Over the past seven years, Uzbekistan’s trade
with European countries has doubled, exceeding 6 billion euros, and
the number of joint ventures with European capital has surpassed
1,000 – clear evidence of growing trust in the country’s ongoing
reforms. Notably, major European financial institutions are
expanding their presence: the European Bank for Reconstruction and
Development (EBRD) is already a key partner for Tashkent, financing
projects in green energy, transport, and the private sector, while
the European Investment Bank (EIB) is preparing to open a regional
office in Tashkent – a step that demonstrates Brussels’ long-term
commitment to developing cooperation.

The EPCA document, consisting of nine sections, 356 articles,
and 14 annexes, covers nearly all areas – trade, investment,
energy, education, science, the digital economy, and more.
Essentially, the new agreement updates the legal framework that had
been in place since 1996 and establishes a modern architecture of
interaction based on mutual interests and trust.

During the meetings in Brussels, President Mirziyoyev outlined
four priority areas for future cooperation.

First – the development of joint high-value-added production
through deep processing of strategic raw materials and mineral
resources. This approach will allow Uzbekistan to move away from
raw material dependence and advance up the value chain, while
Europe gains reliable sources of critical materials for its green
and digital transitions.

Second – the green economy and chemical industry. Uzbekistan
invited European companies to participate in projects for the
development of solar and wind energy, energy storage systems, and
environmentally friendly technologies. With its vast renewable
energy potential, the country can become a key EU partner in
building a new architecture of energy security.

Mirziyoyev emphasized that “Uzbekistan fully supports
international projects for the supply of electricity from our
region to Europe.” European investments in the green sector
accelerate Uzbekistan’s transition to a low-carbon economy, while
the EU gains alternative energy sources, reducing dependence on
fossil fuels.

Third – infrastructure and logistics development. Uzbekistan is
modernizing its transport network on a large scale – roads,
railways, airports – and creating new transport corridors. In this
context, the president highlighted the importance of cooperation in
establishing modern logistics hubs connecting Europe and Asia.
Strengthening transport links with the EU, including the use of the
Trans-Caspian route within the Global Gateway initiative, will
diversify trade routes and reduce dependence on traditional
corridors.

Fourth – the digital economy and IT. Cooperation in artificial
intelligence, cybersecurity, and innovation will raise Uzbekistan’s
technological level and integrate it into the global digital
space.

Among the key outcomes of the visit is the practical completion
of the negotiation process on Uzbekistan’s accession to the World
Trade Organization (WTO). According to Azizbek Urunov, the
president’s special representative for WTO affairs, this is the
result of more than two years of negotiations and joint work.
Agreements on market access have already been reached with 27 EU
countries, with only three partners remaining before the final
signing of accession agreements. This progress serves as a clear
signal recognizing Uzbekistan’s ongoing reforms and strengthening
its role in global trade. Experts note that WTO membership will
grant Uzbekistan access to the markets of over 160 countries and
create strong incentives for the growth of export-oriented
industries.

European participants in the negotiations highly praised the
transparency and stability of investment conditions in Uzbekistan,
as well as the country’s readiness to implement large-scale
projects. Business representatives expressed particular interest in
cooperation in the mining and processing of critical minerals,
energy, and digital technologies — areas that are at the heart of
the new cooperation agenda.

The Brussels visit clearly demonstrated that relations between
Uzbekistan and the EU are moving from a primarily diplomatic format
to a practical partnership. For Europe, this is part of a broader
strategy to strengthen its presence in Central Asia, where new
trade routes and energy corridors are taking shape. For Tashkent,
it is an opportunity to consolidate its role as an independent
player shaping the regional agenda. This visit became a symbol of
Uzbekistan’s transformation from an observer into an active
architect of a new geo-economic reality. The signing of the EPCA
and the breakthrough in WTO accession confirm that the country is
confidently integrating into the global system while maintaining
its own strategic independence.