Ursula von der Leyen: Key Address at the European Economic Days in Uzbekistan on EU Relations

During the European Economic Days, an event organized by EuroUz with the support of the Italy-Uzbekistan Chamber of Commerce, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen delivered a video message on the current state of EU-Uzbekistan relations. Her words emphasized the strategic value of cooperation between Europe and Uzbekistan, recalling the economic and institutional milestones achieved over the past thirty years since the establishment of diplomatic relations.

Remarkable Achievements and New Prospects
Von der Leyen highlighted the extraordinary progress made in recent years, particularly in the economic and commercial spheres, listing key successes. First, the growth of trade exchanges in the textile and metallurgical sectors, with ever-increasing volumes. Second, the European Union’s role in promoting strategic investments, both from Europe and international partners, in the realization of the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR), a trade corridor connecting Europe to East Asia through Central Asia. Once completed, this infrastructure system would drastically reduce transport times for goods between the two regions. Finally, von der Leyen spoke about the expansion of cooperation in strategic sectors, which strengthens relations between Europe and Uzbekistan.

A Busy Agenda of Key Milestones
Looking to the future, the President emphasized the importance of upcoming engagements on the bilateral agenda, particularly the imminent signing of a new Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement between the EU and Uzbekistan and the first EU-Central Asia Summit, to be held in 2025 in Samarkand.

Von der Leyen’s address highlighted the European Union’s commitment to promoting solid and mutually beneficial relations with Uzbekistan, within a context where Central Asia is increasingly establishing itself as a strategic bridge between Europe and Central Asia.