Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- The implementation of the investment agreement between China and the European Union is of great importance in the restoration and further development of the world economy in the post-epidemic period. Anri Sharapov, associate professor of the Department of Politics and Economics of China, Tashkent State University of Oriental Studies, Candidate of Political Sciences, said this in an exclusive interview with Xinhua. 

In his opinion, the European Union plays an important role in China’s foreign policy, which is due to several factors. First, it is known that the PRC has set the goal of technological development, and in this situation the EU is a source of high technologies. Secondly, for several years China has been the EU’s second largest trade partner in terms of importance and volume, for example, bilateral trade in 2018 amounted to US$682 billion.

According to A. Sharapov, the main idea of Beijing’s initiative is the principle of multilateralism. “This is a principle of building relations between states, based on the mechanism of multilateral agreements, allowing each state to enjoy privileges in relations with all partners,” he said.

The Uzbek expert fully supports President Xi Jinping’s idea that this agreement will provide wider market access, a higher level of the business climate, more reliable institutional guarantees and more attractive prospects for mutual investment.

A. Sharapov believes that this agreement should play an important role in the further integration of the world economy, including in the development of the economies of Central Asian countries, in particular Uzbekistan.

He noted that Uzbekistan attaches priority importance to further strengthening the strategic partnership with China, expanding multifaceted trade, economic, investment and financial cooperation between the two countries based on the principles of mutual benefit, consideration of interests and equality.

“As President Shavkat Mirziyoyev noted in his recent message to the Oliy Majlis and the Uzbek people, Uzbekistan will expand multifaceted and mutually beneficial relations with China and a number of European countries and world powers. In this context, this agreement opens up new perspectives for a fuller manifestation of the capabilities of the Central Asian region, including Uzbekistan, as a connecting bridge between the PRC and the EU,” the Uzbek political scientist concluded.