Attitude from Poland: Uzbekistan-EU Agreement represents the logical culmination of joint efforts to develop mutually beneficial cooperation

. In an exclusive interview with Dunyo News Agency, Waldemar Siwiński, Founder of the "Perspektywy" Educational Foundation (Poland), shared his insights on the outcomes of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev’s official visit to Brussels and the significance of the Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement recently signed between Uzbekistan and the European Union.



"The signing of the Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement between Uzbekistan and the European Union in Brussels represents a logical culmination of the previous efforts by both sides to develop mutually beneficial cooperation.

Uzbekistan and the broader Central Asian region have long attracted Europe’s interest; however, political circumstances have not always allowed the full potential of such cooperation to be realized. For this reason, the signing of this agreement is particularly significant at a time when the EU and Central Asia are seeking new areas of development and new partners".

I am very pleased that education and science are included among the areas of cooperation covered by this agreement. Uzbekistan is a country where 60 percent of the population is under the age of 30, and the population grows by over one million people annually. Providing high-quality education for such a young and expanding population is not only a responsibility but also a tremendous opportunity for Uzbekistan’s development. Naturally, achieving this without broad international cooperation would be impossible.

European universities, both within the European Union and across the wider European higher education space, can serve as key partners in this endeavor. A crucial condition for the successful development of international student exchanges is scientific cooperation between universities, including Uzbekistan’s participation alongside the EU in international research programs such as "Horizon Europe". Securing grants under "Horizon Europe" is a complex task; therefore, initial meetings, conferences, and congresses involving European and Uzbek rectors and researchers are highly important. These gatherings help establish mutual trust and create research teams capable of successfully participating in regularly announced grant competitions.

The "Perspektywy" Educational Foundation, which I represent, stands ready to assist all interested parties in establishing such partnerships".