On 24 October, in the city of Brussels, a solemn ceremony was held for the signing of the Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement between the Republic of Uzbekistan and the European Union in the presence of President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev, President of the European Council António Costa and President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen.
The document renews and significantly expands the legal framework governing cooperation between Uzbekistan and the European Union, which until now has been based on the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement signed in 1996.
Negotiations on the draft of the new Agreement began in February 2019 and were completed in July 2022. The initialing took place on July 6, 2022 in Brussels.
The document comprises 9 sections, 356 articles, and 14 annexes. It covers virtually all areas of bilateral relations, and establishes a comprehensive legal foundation for strengthening political dialogue and deepening cooperation across all mutually beneficial areas, with particular emphasis on trade and investment, sustainable development, science and education, innovation and high technologies, the environment, and climate change.
The signing of the Agreement marks the beginning of a new chapter in Uzbekistan–EU relations, elevating the multifaceted partnership to an unprecedented level.