Результаты конференции 19-sentabr | Page 7

in Tashkent resulted in a number of agreements worth a total of 950 million euros. And it can be estimated as an event that contributed to the expansion of cooperation. For us, Germany is the largest economic partner in Europe, thanks to dozens of joint projects that have been and are being implemented, becoming an important part of the large- scale reforms in Uzbekistan. In 2017, the trade turnover between Uzbekistan and Germany amounted at $ 520 million euros, and the volume of Germany’s investments in Uzbekistan exceeded $ 750 million euros over the past 10 years. 115 enterprises with participation of German capital operate in the country. I would like to draw your attention to the fact that our event is taking place at a time when Uzbekistan and the EU are holding negotiations on development and signing of an Agreement on expanded partnership. The European Union has also launched the process of developing a new EU strategy for the Central Asian countries. In our opinion, introduction of changes in the regulatory framework that meet modern realities, mutual interests and expectations of all sides will determine a qualitatively new level of cooperation between Germany and Uzbekistan within the EU. Taking into account the abovementioned, I would like to note the perspective directions of cooperation with Germany in ensuring security and stable development in Central Asia: - ensuring security - enhancing the role of Germany in ensuring energy, economic, military and environmental security in Central Asia. The German side has enough potential to assist the Central Asian countries in eliminating the consequences of the drying up of the Aral Sea, rational use of water resources, improving reservoirs, using renewable energy sources, combating transnational threats (drug trafficking, organized crime, etc.), as well as solving the problem of Afghanistan. Uzbekistan has a positive experience of cooperation with Germany on 7