BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 25. Uzbekistan is
set to host the Third EU–Central Asia Economic Forum on November 26
in Tashkent. For the country, the forum is more than just a major
international event, it reflects its ongoing commitment to closer
cooperation with the European Union. This year, relations between
Tashkent and Brussels have reached a new level: in spring,
Samarkand hosted the first “Central Asia – EU” summit under
Uzbekistan’s chairmanship, followed by the signing of an Enhanced
Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (EPCA).
With key political decisions already in place, attention is now
turning to their practical implementation. Uzbekistan is signaling
its readiness for deep economic integration, while the European
Union seeks a long-term presence in the region. For Tashkent, the
forum represents an opportunity to boost export potential, attract
advanced technologies, and enhance foreign-policy autonomy. For the
EU, it offers a chance to strengthen its position in Central Asia
amid the rising influence of China, Russia, and Türkiye, focusing
on economics, infrastructure modernization, and green energy rather
than politics.
Trade continues to be the primary driver of closer ties between
Uzbekistan and the EU. In recent years, bilateral trade turnover
has surpassed 6 billion euros, and the number of joint enterprises
has reached 1,000. European financial institutions are expanding
their presence, with the EBRD and other banks actively investing in
green energy, transport, and industrial projects. The EPCA further
strengthens this trend, making trade procedures more predictable
and complementing the GSP+ scheme, which has already helped Uzbek
producers increase exports of manufactured goods.
“Our exporters are ready to supply more than 500 types of
industrial products worth 4 billion euros to the European market,”
President Shavkat Mirziyoyev stated at the “Central Asia – EU”
summit.
These figures highlight the region’s significant trade
potential, and the upcoming forum is expected to provide fresh
momentum. Tashkent anticipates that meetings between ministries,
businesses, and European financial institutions will lead to
concrete agreements, from simplifying procedures and harmonizing
standards to expanding support programs for exporters. The goal is
not only to eliminate technical barriers but also to create
conditions that enable Uzbek producers to enter and firmly
establish themselves in the EU market more efficiently.
Within this logic, Uzbekistan’s progress toward joining the
World Trade Organization becomes especially significant.
Negotiations with all 27 EU member states have been completed, and
the country has entered the final stage of the accession process.
For Uzbekistan, WTO membership is a strategic move that changes the
rules of the game.
Accession means adopting global standards, transparent tariffs,
predictable conditions for business, lower costs for exporters, and
stronger trust from international partners. This becomes the
foundation on which further economic integration with Europe is
built.
A separate block of the upcoming forum will focus on the
development of the Middle Corridor – the Caspian transit route
connecting Central Asia to Europe. Uzbekistan is consistently
promoting the creation of a competitive route that could become a
viable alternative to existing transit directions.
Yet despite its advantages, transportation tariffs along the
Middle Corridor remain about 1.5 times higher than on the
North–South routes. Tashkent expects that EU involvement through
the Global Gateway initiative will accelerate modernization of
ports, railways and logistics hubs. The European investment package
includes about 3 billion euros for transport connectivity, which is
a clear signal of Brussels’ long-term intentions.
Another key topic will be critical raw materials. Europe is
building its own supply chains for strategic materials – copper,
uranium, rare earth elements. Central Asia occupies a central place
in these plans, and Uzbekistan is among the leaders thanks to its
reserves and processing capacity. The EU has already allocated
about 2.5 billion euros to projects in this sector, underscoring
both the strategic nature and long-term character of its
interest.
Green energy continues to be a key focus in the dialogue.
Uzbekistan aims to commission 24 GW of renewable capacity by 2030,
with European companies already involved in solar, wind, and
hydrogen energy projects. Brussels considers Central Asia an
integral part of Europe’s future energy architecture, where
diversification and reduced reliance on fossil fuels are top
priorities. Uzbekistan holds a special position in this model
thanks to its favorable climate, available sites, and growing
technological capacity.
“Uzbekistan fully supports international projects to supply
electricity from our region to Europe,” President Mirziyoyev
emphasized, highlighting the country’s readiness to play a pivotal
role in future energy cooperation.
The upcoming forum in Tashkent is more than just another
meeting, it is a platform for Uzbekistan and the EU to begin
shaping a new, more pragmatic architecture of relations focused on
long-term interests.
Uzbekistan approaches the forum with a clear understanding of
its goals, from industrial and logistics development to expanding
green energy and integrating into global markets. Europe, for its
part, sees Tashkent as a stable partner with whom it can build
sustainable transport, trade and energy chains.