Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- On 28 October 2022, a meeting was held in Tashkent between the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev and the President of the European Council Charles Michel.

During the talks, which took place in a warm and friendly atmosphere, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and President Charles Michel confirmed that in recent years, relations between Uzbekistan and the European Union have reached a qualitatively new level and become comprehensive.

The parties welcomed the desire of the European Union to strengthen ties and interregional cooperation with Uzbekistan and Central Asia.

An agreement was reached on the adoption of joint efforts in order to give relations between Uzbekistan and the EU a new impetus and further deepen them.

The fruitful activity of the created joint mechanisms of bilateral and interregional cooperation was positively noted. Readiness was expressed for joint efforts in order to further increase the effective use of their potential and capabilities.

The parties welcomed the initialing of the Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement, which will open a new page in relations between Uzbekistan and the European Union, will help strengthen interaction on a wide range of issues in the field of politics, economics, security and the human dimension.

The Presidents expressed their hope that this key document will be signed and ratified as soon as possible.

The parties stated that in international affairs and bilateral relations they strictly adhere to the UN Charter and generally recognized norms of international law, will support and develop cooperation based on the principles of equality, mutual understanding and mutual consideration of interests.

The European side reaffirmed its strong support for the policy of reforms carried out within the framework of the New Uzbekistan Development Strategy, and expressed the hope that they will be sustainable and irreversible.

The Presidents highly appreciated the constructive dialogue and active interaction in the field of human rights, democracy and the rule of law. The parties are determined to continue to contribute to the subsequent strengthening of cooperation between Uzbekistan and the EU in this direction.

The head of the European Council noted with satisfaction the growing attention of the leadership of Uzbekistan to the issues of ensuring gender equality, supporting the rights and interests of women, youth and children, and also assured of the EU’s readiness to continue comprehensive assistance in the implementation of projects and programs in these areas. The European Union noted the importance of full respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms.

Priority attention was paid to the issues of attracting direct investment, the latest technologies, best practices and high standards of EU companies to Uzbekistan.

The Presidents welcomed the dynamic development of cooperation between Uzbekistan and the European Union in the field of economy, trade and investment. An important step in this direction was granting Uzbekistan the status of a beneficiary country of the GSP + system in April last year, which opened up access for duty-free supplies of a wide range of Uzbek products to the EU countries.

The parties paid special attention to the need to make joint efforts in order to accelerate the implementation of the EU Strategy for Central Asia, and also welcomed the holding on November 18, 2022 in Samarkand of the EU-Central Asia Conference on Interconnectivity: “Global Gateway” for Sustainable Development”

The Uzbek side is ready to propose during the conference the adoption of a "road map" for the implementation of joint projects in priority areas of cooperation.

The creation of sustainable transport corridors, including the development of the Trans-Caspian multimodal route, is designated as a systemic factor for increasing mutual trade.

The Presidents pointed to the importance of expanding port capacities, increasing ferry and rail fleets, harmonizing customs procedures, introducing digital solutions for cargo handling and border crossing. The implementation of such projects is fully consistent with the goals and objectives of the EU Global Gateway initiative.

The Uzbek side noted the importance of building the Termez - Mazar-i-Sharif - Kabul - Peshawar railway, which contributes to the deepening of interconnectedness.

The Uzbek side expressed its readiness to create the necessary conditions for attracting foreign direct investment, including EU companies.

The parties welcomed the approval and launch of the EU Multi-Year Indicative Program of Financial and Technical Assistance for 2021-2027. for Uzbekistan

They stressed the importance of using the existing significant potential for mutually beneficial cooperation in the field of digitalization, green economy and energy efficiency and water use, including through the introduction of advanced European experience and the implementation of joint projects in these areas.

Gratitude was expressed to the European Union for its continued support of Uzbekistan’s initiatives on water and environmental issues, in particular on the creation of the UN Multi-Partner Trust Fund for Human Security for the Aral Sea region. The parties share the opinion on the importance of continuing its activities.

The importance of deepening cooperation in the field of education and science was emphasized, including using the potential of the Erasmus+ and Horizon Europe programs. The parties welcomed the implementation of the first regional vocational education project "DARYA".

The Uzbek side proposed holding the first EU-Central Asia Tourism Forum in Uzbekistan in 2023.

Topical issues of the regional and international agenda were discussed.

The importance of continuing joint efforts to strengthen interconnectedness, ensure security and stability in Central Asia was noted.

In this context, the need to prevent the transformation of Afghanistan into a source of permanent threats to regional and international security was emphasized.

The priority concern was the prevention of an impending humanitarian catastrophe in the winter, in particular the provision of humanitarian assistance to the Afghan people.

The Uzbek side emphasized its initiative to create an International Group for negotiating with the interim government of Afghanistan in order to quickly agree on an algorithm for fulfilling the mutual obligations of the parties.

The parties shared their views on the need for an inclusive political process and ensuring human rights, including the rights of women in Afghanistan, in order to achieve long-term stability.

In conclusion, the Presidents reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening an open and constructive dialogue and partnership between Uzbekistan and the EU, as well as promoting further expansion of regional cooperation and interconnectedness based on the principles of good neighborliness, mutual respect, trust and compliance with the fundamental norms of international law in order to turn Central Asia into a region of peace , security, stability and sustainable development.