BRUSSELS, 17 November 2021, (TON): The Cooperation Council between the European Union and Uzbekistan held its sixteenth meeting, 16 November in Brussels.

The meeting was chaired by Mr Augusto Santos Silva, Portugal’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, on behalf of Mr Josep Borrell, the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.

The delegation of Uzbekistan was led by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Mr Abdulaziz Kamilov.

The Cooperation Council took stock of developments in relations between the EU and the Republic of Uzbekistan over the past two years, noting with satisfaction the intensity of contacts at all levels.

The two sides agreed on the importance of pursuing a green, sustainable economic recovery from the pandemic. The Cooperation Council discussed the Republic of Uzbekistan’s ambitious reform programme, and issues relating to the rule of law, trade, investment and energy relations, and international issues.

The Cooperation Council also discussed questions of good governance and the role of civil society, as well as measures to improve the business climate in Uzbekistan.

The EU welcomed Uzbekistan’s GSP+ membership (EU General System of Preferences that unilaterally grants duty-free access for most goods) since April 2021, and discussed progress in Uzbekistan’s application to join the WTO. Human rights questions were also discussed.