EU and Central Asia Deepen Ties at Tashkent Economic Forum

The third EU-Central Asia Economic Forum opened today in the Uzbek capital, bringing together government officials, business leaders and international organisations to advance trade, investment and connectivity under the EU’s Global Gateway strategy.

Broad and Expanding Cooperation

Toivo Klaar, EU Ambassador to Uzbekistan, highlighted the growing scope of relations between the two regions.

«We have signed documents in very many different sectors, ranging from combating drugs to border management and environmental issues on the Aral Sea,» Klaar told reporters. «This shows the breadth of the relationship.»

The Tashkent gathering is part of a three-day series that includes tomorrow’s Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor Investors Forum and a tourism conference on Friday.

Focus on Transport Connectivity

Klaar placed particular emphasis on transport links. Thursday’s investors forum will include participants from Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia and Turkey alongside Central Asian states and the EU.

«That is a landmark event because it brings together all the elements on this very vital corridor that we seek to develop together,» he said.

Uzbekistan’s Path to WTO Membership

The Ambassador also addressed Uzbekistan’s accession to the World Trade Organization.

«The European Union has consistently supported Uzbekistan in the WTO negotiations. We have provided technical assistance and funding for advisors. The negotiations have largely been concluded as far as the European Union is concerned. We look forward to them being concluded with all partners so that Uzbekistan can accede as soon as possible,» Klaar stated.

The two-day economic forum follows previous editions held in Bishkek (2021) and Almaty (2023) and is co-organised with the OECD and the International Trade Centre. Discussions centre on business climate improvements, trade facilitation, regional integration, skills development and sustainable value chains for critical raw materials.