Uzbekistan-EAEU: Further steps to expand multilateral cooperation within regional structures

President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev, who is currently on a working visit to Belarus, will take part today in the regular meeting of the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council (SEEC), reports Dunyo IA correspondent.

The Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) is an international integration economic association created on the basis of the Customs Union and the Common Economic Space. It began its work on January 1, 2015, following the entry into force of the Treaty on the Eurasian Economic Union, signed by the heads of Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Russia on May 29, 2014, in Astana. Armenia and Kyrgyzstan joined the treaty in 2015.

Uzbekistan obtained observer state status in the EAEU in 2020. According to the union’s charter, observer states can participate in meetings of EAEU bodies without the right to make decisions, as well as appoint a country representative to the Eurasian Economic Commission.

The development of Uzbekistan’s cooperation with the EAEU in this format aligns with national interests and is based on the principles of equality and consideration of the interests of all participating states.

Since obtaining observer status, the President of Uzbekistan has participated in seven meetings of the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council.

In particular, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev participated in the SEEC meeting held on December 26, 2024, in Saint Petersburg, where he put forward important initiatives.

The Head of State noted that over the past few years, Uzbekistan, as an observer state, has established fruitful cooperation with the EAEU in 22 areas. The President emphasized that in 2024, Uzbekistan’s trade turnover with the Union countries increased by 11 percent. In October, a new three-year Cooperation Plan was adopted with the Eurasian Economic Commission, which included about forty specific activities in areas such as trade, industry, the financial sector, the agro-industrial complex, transport, and others.

Uzbekistan also actively participates in a number of EAEU sectoral programs in the areas of digitalization of trade and cargo transportation, the introduction of e-commerce, and climate change.

The Head of State singled out priority areas for mutually beneficial cooperation with the EAEU.

In particular, the country’s leader called for a phased elimination of trade barriers in mutual trade. In this context, he proposed that the issue of signing an agreement on the non-application of tariff and non-tariff restrictions in trade between Uzbekistan and the EAEU be worked out at the expert level on a reciprocal basis. Interest was also expressed in joining the mechanisms and instruments supporting industrial cooperation and production localization programs launched within the Association.

"In order to form reliable financial sources to promote joint projects, we plan to finalize procedures and join the Eurasian Development Bank early next year", stated the leader of Uzbekistan.

On April 9 of this year, the Head of State signed the law "On the Accession of the Republic of Uzbekistan to the Agreement on the Establishment of the Eurasian Development Bank (Astana, January 12, 2006)".

The main goal of the Agreement is to promote the economic growth of the participating states and expand trade and economic ties between them through investment activities. The right to full and effective participation within the bank’s activities will also be ensured. This, in turn, will contribute to the development of integration processes in the Eurasian region.

The President of Uzbekistan emphasized the importance of systematic interaction in the field of digital technologies and artificial intelligence within the EAEU. An initiative was put forward to connect Uzbekistan to the integrated information system of the EAEU and the "Digital Union" project. In the field of agriculture, it was proposed to prepare a cooperation program aimed at facilitating mutual access of agricultural products, implementing innovative agro-industrial projects and introducing scientific developments. To encourage tourism exchanges, the Head of State expressed his readiness to introduce a procedure allowing citizens of the EAEU countries to enter Uzbekistan with internal documents.

It should be noted that most of the open and pragmatic initiatives put forward by the President of Uzbekistan, which fully meet the interests of member and observer states, are unanimously supported and successfully implemented.

In addition, an interdepartmental Working Group on cooperation with the EAEU countries and the Eurasian Economic Commission was established under the leadership of the Prime Minister of Uzbekistan. The group coordinates interaction, analyzes economic ties, and develops proposals for deepening cooperation.

On October 1, 2024, the Joint Action Plan for 2024–2026 was signed between the government of Uzbekistan and the EEC.

Thanks to its participation in the EAEU platform as an observer state, Uzbekistan is promoting important initiatives, actively cooperating with all member states, and developing trade, economic, and investment cooperation. These factors, in turn, confirm sustainable growth.

Cooperation between the EAEU and foreign partners is carried out in accordance with the norms and principles of the World Trade Organization (WTO).

The EAEU also actively cooperates with international organizations and institutions. In particular, interaction has been established with the World Trade Organization (WTO), the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), the World Customs Organization (WCO), the International Organization for Migration (IOM), and others. Moreover, the majority of the Union’s member states are members of the WTO.

Uzbekistan participates in four EAEU pilot projects. In particular, the project on digitalization of railway cargo transportation envisages a transition to electronic document flow using digital signatures and electronic shipments between the EAEU countries and China.

Representatives of the competent authorities of Uzbekistan participated in meetings on the implementation of the project in June 2022 and January 2023. Issues of the phased implementation of electronic exchange of transport and customs documents were discussed. Participation in the project involves the creation of the necessary technical and legal conditions.

Uzbekistan is also analyzing the effectiveness of the projects "Cross-border E-commerce", "Climate Agenda", and "Eurasian Agroexpress", which are in the implementation stage.

Observer status contributes to Uzbekistan’s integration into global processes of internationalization of the economy, scientific and technical achievements, international trade, capital migration, infrastructure development, and information systems.

It should be noted that the expansion of trade with the EAEU countries is important for realizing Uzbekistan’s export potential.

The integration of Uzbekistan and the EAEU member states also contributes to the growth of production, the rapid dissemination of technology, infrastructure development, the expansion of the role of international organizations and funds, and the liberalization of trade and markets.

In conclusion, it should be noted that the participation of the President of Uzbekistan in the next meeting of the SEEC in Minsk, the strengthening and expansion of cooperation between the EAEU countries in the investment, trade, economic, and logistics spheres will give a new impetus to development and will serve to strengthen friendly ties between the peoples of the region.