Uzbekistan and EU to Sign Landmark Strategic Partnership Deal

Brussels is set to host a landmark event on October 24, as Uzbekistan and the European Union will sign a new Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement. The document, to be signed by Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and European Council President António Costa, marks a new chapter in the multifaceted dialogue between Tashkent and Brussels, aiming to elevate their relationship to a new strategic level.

This new pact is designed to replace and significantly expand upon an outdated agreement from 1996. Recognizing the need for a modern framework, Uzbekistan initiated the update process in 2017. Following ten rounds of negotiations that began in 2019, the text was initialed in June 2022 and has since undergone a lengthy period of legal review and translation across EU member states. President Mirziyoyev had previously urged an acceleration of its adoption, signaling the high importance placed on the deal.

The agreement underscores Uzbekistan’s consistent “multi-vector” foreign policy, which seeks to build strong legal frameworks with major global players. According to Stanislav Pritchin, an expert on Central Asia at IMEMO RAS, this strategy persists even amid global trade tensions. For the EU, the deal demonstrates an expansion of its partnerships in strategically vital Central Asia, a region of key interest to both Russia and China. However, Pritchin noted that while the EU agreement is an important step, “Russia and China will remain the most crucial strategic partners, main trade partners, and investors for Uzbekistan.”

The partnership is poised to unlock new opportunities by incorporating World Trade Organization (WTO) norms, fostering a more favorable environment for trade, investment, and the exchange of services. The agreement places a strong emphasis on joint projects in innovation, green energy, mining, agriculture, and digitalization. A key component is the strategic partnership on critical raw materials, including copper and lithium, which are vital to the EU’s economy.

The deepening economic ties are already evident. Trade turnover between Uzbekistan and the EU has doubled since 2020 to reach €6.4 billion, while Uzbek exports to the bloc have quadrupled in the same period. Over a thousand joint ventures with European firms are now active in the country, with an investment portfolio exceeding €30 billion. Beyond economics, the agreement bolsters cooperation on foreign policy and security, addressing issues such as illegal migration, corruption, terrorism, and border management.

Analysts believe the enhanced partnership offers significant mutual benefits. According to Bunyod Tillakhodjaev of the “Development Strategy” Center, the EU gains access to more stable transport routes and critical raw materials through Central Asia. For Uzbekistan, the EU represents new export markets, a platform to highlight regional climate and security issues, and a crucial step in diversifying its foreign policy partners.