EU And Uzbekistan Sign New Partnership Agreement To Deepen Ties

Uzbekistan’s President Shavkat Mirziyoyev joined European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President António Costa at the signing ceremony in Brussels.

Replacing the 1996 Partnership and Cooperation Agreement, the EPCA seeks to enhance political, economic and social cooperation between the EU and Uzbekistan.

The pact also underscores the EU’s broader commitment to deepening engagement and fostering sustainable partnerships across Central Asia.

"Today we are delivering on that commitment by reinforcing our long-standing relationship with Uzbekistan," von der Leyen said in a statement.

The new agreement strengthens political dialogue between Brussels and Tashkent while expanding cooperation across key sectors, including trade, investment, research, sustainable development, and intellectual property.

Both sides also explored collaboration in emerging areas such as critical raw materials essential for green and digital transitions.

Highlighting the economic significance of the pact, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev met with executives from leading European companies and banks during his visit to Brussels on Friday.

Uzbekistan is "a country that is growing, a country with a young population, a small country that is positioned as an IT hub. An IT hub, not only in Central Asia, but also with the diversity of people who live in Uzbekistan, with the possibility of providing services all over the world," said Jean-Philippe Gillet, President Fixed and Maritime Vertical at SES, a medium and high orbit satellite communications company.

"We provide satellite capabilities to precisely digitise the country and provide global coverage within the country," he added.

Trade between the European Union and Uzbekistan reached €4.8 billion in 2024, nearly double the figure recorded in 2020.

The EU is Uzbekistan’s third-largest trading partner, representing 10.4% of the country’s total trade. Meanwhile, 7.2% of Uzbekistan’s exports go to EU Member States, making the bloc its second-largest export destination.