Relations between Uzbekistan and the Europena Union in recent years have reached a qualitatively new level and become comprehensive, said EU Special Representative for Central Asia Terhi Hakala at a meeting with Ambassador of Uzbekistan to the Benelux countries Dilyor Khakimov, Nova24.uz reports.
An important stage in economic cooperation between the parties was the granting to Uzbekistan on April 10, 2021 of the status of a beneficiary country of the general system of preferences "GSP +", it was noted at the meeting.
This year, negotiations on the draft Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (EPCA) between Uzbekistan and the EU were successfully completed, the initialing of which took place on July 6 in Brussels.
The EU supports Uzbekistan's accession to the World Trade Organization. The progress of the implementation of the EU project “Supporting the process of accession of Uzbekistan to the WTO” with a budget of 5 million euros, which is being implemented by the International Trade Center in cooperation with the Ministry of Investment and Foreign Trade of Uzbekistan, is positively assessed.
In addition, in recent years, priority has been given to attracting direct investment, the latest technologies, best practices and high standards of EU companies to Uzbekistan. The parties also discussed plans for the future.
Earlier, President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev announced the priorities in cooperation between the EU and Central Asia.
CentralasianLIGHT.org
Nov. 28, 2022