UZBEKISTAN – EUROPEAN UNION: COOPERATION PROSPECTS

On March 14, international round table discussion on "Cooperation between Uzbekistan and the European Union: Vision to the Future" was held at the International Cooperation Center, in Tashkent.

Uzbekistan, in the spirit of equal partnership and mutual trust, cooperates in the name of sustainable development, preservation of peace and stability with all states, in particular, with the European Union countries. Globalization requires further expansion primarily of trade and economic, investment cooperation with the European Union, strengthening ties in educational, agricultural and other spheres. At the same time, establishment of active cooperation with the European Union in addressing global issues such as climate change, youth radicalism, the fight against terrorism, security is a requirement of today.

The International forum organized by the Institute of Strategic and Interregional Studies under the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, the European Union and the Friedrich Ebert Foundation in Uzbekistan, with the support of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Uzbekistan, was devoted to discussing such issues. It was attended by representatives of ministries and departments, state and public organizations, diplomatic corps and international structures accredited in Uzbekistan, heads of authoritative analytical centers of the EU, mass media workers.

The European Union is one of the key partners of Uzbekistan. The country is committed to further comprehensive strengthening of mutually beneficial relations with the EU. The desire of the European Union to enriching partnership with new practical content testifies to the special attention of the "Old World" to Uzbekistan and the region.

The round table discussion was aimed at discussing the prospects and priority directions for development of cooperation within the framework of development of a new Cooperation Strategy between the European Union and the states of Central Asia, which will be adopted in 2019.

During the meeting, issues of strengthening international and regional political trust, in particular, in Central Asia, ensuring sustainable development were discussed.

Participants of the international forum became acquainted with the socio-economic reforms carried out in the country, transformations in building a legal democratic state based on a strong civil society, as well as activities on protecting human rights and interests.

The need for joint implementation of activity aimed at developing an updated agreement on partnership and cooperation was emphasized.

The initiative of the European Union was approved on development of a new Strategy by the end of 2019, taking into account mutual interests, common approaches and values.

During the round table discussion, participants considered issues of regional cooperation, strengthening security.

Within the framework of sessions, reports were heard on supporting reforms carried out in Uzbekistan, environmental issues, human rights, regional cooperation in Central Asia. The experts made suggestions and recommendations on searching effective solutions of eliminating threats and challenges for the Central Asian states.

Following the meeting, proposals aimed at developing and strengthening mutually beneficial cooperation between the authoritative structures of Uzbekistan and the European Union were developed.

UzA