Shavkat Mirziyoyev put forward four directions for joint development with EU countries

As part of his visit to Brussels, Shavkat Mirziyoyev held a round table with the heads of leading European companies and banks, the presidential press service reports.

The President emphasized that the participation of leading European companies in the event reflects a high level of mutual trust and the mutual desire to strengthen cooperation. It was emphasized that the signing of the Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement could open a new chapter in relations between Uzbekistan and the EU.

During the discussion, it was noted that over the past seven years, trade turnover has doubled, and the number of joint ventures with European capital has exceeded one thousand, which testifies to the growing confidence of investors in Uzbekistan’s economic reforms. The support of European partners in modernizing the economy of Uzbekistan and carrying out deep economic reforms, introducing advanced technologies, corporate governance standards, and developing innovative production was also noted.

The President paid special attention to the development of human capital. The leader of our country reported that during this time, access to higher education for young people has been significantly expanded: new universities have been established, branches of foreign universities have been opened, and joint educational programs with European partners are being implemented.

During the meeting, the head of state outlined four key areas for further deepening cooperation:

• implementation of projects for the production of finished products with high added value through the development and deep processing of strategic raw materials and minerals within the country;
• “green” economy and chemical industry: European partners were invited to participate in “green” generation, energy storage, and environmentally friendly chemistry projects;
• infrastructure and logistics development: within the framework of which Uzbekistan is modernizing its transport network, including highways, railways, and airports, and expressed readiness for joint projects to develop transit routes and create modern logistics centers connecting Europe and Asia;
• digital economy and information technologies.

The participants of the round table, in turn, highly appreciated the transparent and stable conditions created in the country for investments, and confirmed their readiness to participate in the implementation of new joint projects and initiatives in our country.

Earlier, it was reported that the parties would also agree to expand cooperation in the foreign policy and defense spheres, with a particular focus on regional stability, conflict prevention, and combating the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.