The trade turnover between Uzbekistan and the EU member states has reached $3.1bn

On 1 November this year, First Deputy Minister of Investment and Foreign Trade of the Republic of Uzbekistan Mr. Laziz Kudratov met with the head of the European Union delegation to the Republic of Uzbekistan Charlotte Adrian.

During the meeting the sides exchanged views on topical issues of preparation for the forthcoming EU-Central Asia Connectivity Conference in Samarkand, as well as prospects for further bilateral cooperation within GSP+, Uzbekistan's accession to WTO and accelerating the process of signing the Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (EPCA) between the Republic of Uzbekistan and the European Union.

The high-level organization of European Council President Charles Michel's visit to Uzbekistan and the wide range of agreements reached during the high-level talks were praised.

The sides considered the current state and prospects of increasing the volume of bilateral trade. During January-September this year, bilateral trade between Uzbekistan and the EU member states increased by almost 15% in comparison with the same period last year and reached $3.1 billion, which became possible thanks to obtaining by Uzbekistan the status of GSP + beneficiary. In this context, the European side was thanked for its comprehensive support in the framework of the first EU monitoring mission to our country.

The progress of joint work in the preparation of an enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement was examined. An agreement was reached to intensify the process of examination of mutual proposals to the text of the agreement in order to reach its signing as soon as possible.