Relations between Uzbekistan
and the European Union
Uzbekistan is an important partner for the EU. The
country lies at the economic and cultural heart
of Central Asia. Its geopolitical location between
Russia, China and the Islamic world makes it an
invaluable interlocutor.
The relations between the EU and Uzbekistan
have been developing steadily since its independence in 1991. Bilateral relations with the EU
started by signing on 15 April 1992 of the Memorandum of mutual understanding between the
Government of the Republic of Uzbekistan and
the Commission of the European Communities.
Thereafter, the diplomatic relations were formally
established on 16 November 1994.
The signature of the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA) in 1996 paved the way
for a broader bilateral relationship. Political
dialogue; trade, economy, business and investment; intellectual, industrial and commercial
property protection; legislative cooperation;
security matters, terrorism, countering drugs,
illegal immigration; democracy and human
rights; cultural cooperation and financial cooperation in the field of technical assistance are
all covered in the PCA.
The various joint institutions set under PCA (Cooperation Council, Cooperation Committee, Subcommittees
on Trade and Economy, Justice and Home Affairs, as
well as Parliamentary Cooperation Committee) have
ensured that regular political dialogue has been maintained between the EU and Uzbekistan.
A regional dimension to the EU’s relations with
Uzbekistan exists through the EU Strategy for Central Asia, which outlines the overall cooperation
objectives and priority fields for the EU’s engagement in the region.
Since January 2011, when the President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov visited Brussels, bilateral relations between the EU and Uzbekistan have developed significantly. During the visit a Memorandum
of Understanding on cooperation in the field of
energy was signed and an agreement was reached,
establishing an EU diplomatic representation in
Tashkent. The EU Delegation to Uzbekistan was
officially accredited to Uzbekistan on 31 May 2011.
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President Islam Karimov and
President of the European Commission José Manuel Barroso
Over the last years several high level visits, including
by the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and
Security Policy, Vice President of the European Commission Catherine Ashton in November 2012.
The Vice-President of the European Commission Maroš Šefcovic
and Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdulaziz Kamilov
In May 2016 Vice-President of the European Commission on the Energy Union Maros Sefcovic visited
Uzbekistan. He hold official meetings and participated in the International Exhibition and Conference
«Oil and Gas of Uzbekistan» in Tashkent. Mr. Sefcovic
also met with the students of the University of World
Economy and Diplomacy.
As of July 2015 Tashkent hosts Chemical, Biological,
Radiological and Nuclear Risk Mitigation Regional
Center of Excellence as a part of the EU global initiative launched to strengthen the institutional capacity of countries outside the EU to mitigate CBRN
risks. The EEAS Deputy Secretary General Maciej
Popowski visited Uzbekistan for its Inauguration.