As part of Uzbekistan's accession process to the World Trade Organization (WTO), a Protocol on the completion of bilateral market access negotiations was signed on December 19, reports Daryo.uz.
The document was signed by Uzbekistan’s Deputy Prime Minister Jamshid Khodjaev and U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai.
Uzbekistan's Integration into the Global Trade System
The year 2024 has become a significant milestone in Uzbekistan's integration into the global trade system. The successful completion of bilateral negotiations with the United States underscores the country's determination to achieve its goals under the leadership of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, the report notes.
U.S. Trade Representative on Uzbekistan's WTO Accession Efforts
U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai released a statement highlighting the Biden-Harris administration's ongoing support for Uzbekistan’s efforts to join the WTO. She emphasized:
"The United States is pleased to announce the completion of bilateral market access negotiations for goods and services with Uzbekistan as part of its efforts to join the WTO. Uzbekistan applied for WTO membership in 1994 and began actively pursuing accession in 2020. Uzbekistan’s steadfast commitment to advancing negotiations has led to significant progress over the past two years, including the successful conclusion of our bilateral agreement."
Uzbekistan's Efforts Toward WTO Membership
Uzbek representatives also expressed their gratitude to the U.S. negotiating team for constructive cooperation, emphasizing the critical role of the national team that made significant contributions to the negotiation process.
Uzbekistan will continue working actively to fulfill all obligations required to complete its WTO accession process. Key milestones are expected to be achieved in the coming years, bringing the country closer to realizing its ambitious goals by 2026.
CentralasianLIGHT.org
December 20, 2024