Islamabad: 02 June 2023 – President of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev has pointed out 7 priority areas for mutually beneficial cooperation between Central Asia and European Union. He has suggested to primarily work upon establishing sustainable trade and logistics chains and creating effective tools for supporting mutual supplies.,Granting GSP+ beneficiary status , the formation of interlinked transport corridors as a key factor for sustainable economic growth, innovative and technological partnership, digital connectivity,to develop a joint Digital Agenda for Central Asia, addressing climate-related challenges, the development of tourism, investment in youth education.
President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev presented his opinion at the Second Central Asia-European Union Summit held in Cholpon-Ata , a most scenic location in Kyrgyzstan by President of Kyrgyz Republic Sadyr Nurgojoevich Japarov. President of European Union was also present in the Summit that was attended by the leaders of other CARs.The participants appreciated the proposals of President Shavkat and shared their points of view as well.
Here are the priority areas mentioned by President Shavkat in his own words:
First is trade.
Uzbekistan is interested in drastic expansion of trade relations with the European Union, primarily in establishing sustainable trade and logistics chains and creating effective tools for supporting mutual supplies.
Granting GSP+ beneficiary status to Uzbekistan has become a stimulating factor for the wider involvement of domestic manufacturers in foreign trade activities, while improving the quality of the goods produced.
We are interested in extending these conditions for a new period. We believe that extending this preferential regime to all countries in the region will increase the industrial potential and competitiveness of our economies.
As an example, I can underscore the readiness of our exporters to export over 500 items of industrial goods worth 4 billion euros to the European market.
At the same time, there are also a number of issues, such as:
– setting up in our region a network of modern laboratories, standardization and certification centers for products in accordance with the EU requirements;
– increasing the knowledge and capacity of our exporters in terms of operating in the European market;
– carrying out activities aimed at raising awareness of the European companies about the trading opportunities with the countries of our region.
Unfortunately, we have not made visible progress on none of these areas yet.
In order to address these matters, we propose to jointly develop a Comprehensive Support Program for the exporting and importing companies of our countries.
In addition, an early finalization of the Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement between Uzbekistan and the European Union will contribute to achieving this objective.
Second, the formation of interlinked transport corridors as a key factor for sustainable economic growth.
It is important to combine the efforts of our countries for the development of transport and communication connectivity between Central Asia and Europe, primarily through the formation of the so-called Middle Corridor – the Trans-Caspian Transit Corridor.
Notably, this project was thoroughly analyzed at the recent meeting of the EBRD’s Board of Governors in Samarkand.
Unfortunately, the main problem remains unresolved, which is the lack of coordinated approach to improve the competitiveness of this route.
Today, we need tariffs beneficial for businesses, which generates the main volume of cargo traffic.
According to analysis, the current tariffs and charges on this route are 1.5 times higher than, for example, on the North-South routes.
Not less important are the issues of developing transport, logistics and port infrastructure in line with the estimated growth in cargo traffic, as well as the improvement of the technical condition of the roads.
In this regard, we believe it would be proper to create an effective mechanism for using the potential of the Trans-Caspian Corridor. This means regular meetings of executives from our countries’ transport agencies.
I would also like to note the importance of studies conducted by European partners on the formation of sustainable transport corridors between Europe and Central Asia.
Second, the formation of interlinked transport corridors as a key factor for sustainable economic growth.
It is important to combine the efforts of our countries for the development of transport and communication connectivity between Central Asia and Europe, primarily through the formation of the so-called Middle Corridor – the Trans-Caspian Transit Corridor.
Notably, this project was thoroughly analyzed at the recent meeting of the EBRD’s Board of Governors in Samarkand.
Unfortunately, the main problem remains unresolved, which is the lack of coordinated approach to improve the competitiveness of this route.
Today, we need tariffs beneficial for businesses, which generates the main volume of cargo traffic.
According to analysis, the current tariffs and charges on this route are 1.5 times higher than, for example, on the North-South routes.
Not less important are the issues of developing transport, logistics and port infrastructure in line with the estimated growth in cargo traffic, as well as the improvement of the technical condition of the roads.
In this regard, we believe it would be proper to create an effective mechanism for using the potential of the Trans-Caspian Corridor. This means regular meetings of executives from our countries’ transport agencies.
I would also like to note the importance of studies conducted by European partners on the formation of sustainable transport corridors between Europe and Central Asia.
Third, innovative and technological partnership.
I have already provided some details about our capacities and common plans. I believe it is time to consider holding annual industrial-technological exhibitions as part of the “Central Asia-European Union” Economic Forum.
Given the current realities, we are interested in launching, together with the European Investment Bank, special tools of financial support for relocation of capacities of leading European companies to our countries.
We reaffirm our readiness to create all necessary conditions for the operation of the Bank’s regional office in Uzbekistan.
Fourth, we count on close partnership with the European Union in digital connectivity.
According to studies by the World Bank, further expansion of high-speed Internet access will lead to a proportional increase in GDP and exports of our countries.
We support the “Team Europe” initiative and propose to develop a joint Digital Agenda for Central Asia.
Fifth, addressing climate-related challenges. This is mainly about improving the sustainability of ecosystems through targeted regional projects using advanced European knowledge and technologies.
In addition, today green energy is an actively developing sector in Uzbekistan.
By 2030, we intend to increase the power generation capacity of renewable energy to 25,000 megawatts, increasing its share from the current 14% to 40%.
Given the urgency of the problem, we invite the European Union to co-host the First International Climate Forum to be held this autumn as a part of the Samarkand Solidarity Initiative for Common Security and Prosperity.
We are also interested in the active involvement of our partners in a project to establish the Central Asian University of Environmental Studies and Climate Change.
Sixth, the development of tourism
It is noteworthy that this industry is recovering rapidly from the pandemic and showing consistently high growth rates.
Nevertheless, Central Asia’s enormous tourism potential is far from being fully exploited.
We propose to jointly develop a Program for Promotion of Sustainable Tourism in Central Asia and present it at the anniversary session of the General Assembly of World Tourism Organization, to be held in Uzbekistan in October this year.
This program will cover:
– specific projects for modernization of infrastructure and reconstruction of historical heritage sites,
– expansion of geography and frequency of flights;
– development of joint tourism products, and simplification of visa procedures.
Seventh, investment in youth education.
The branches of seven European universities are successfully operating in Uzbekistan. However, this is not enough.
We are planning to establish partnerships with leading universities of the EU countries in near future and introduce joint educational programs, primarily in technical specialties.
We are also in favor of resuming regular meetings of education ministers and university rectors in our format.
We propose to consider the possibility of expanding support for research and educational projects for Central Asian region as a part of the Horizon Europe Program.
President noted: The key area of our interaction is to strengthen cooperation against new challenges and threats to security.
Today, we are effectively implementing joint programs on border security, countering drug trafficking and terrorism.
In recent years, more than two hundred regional events were held. With the assistance of European partners, thousands of highly qualified specialists have been trained, border checkpoints have been modernized,
We believe it is necessary to develop new partnership programs in combating extremism and radicalism, human trafficking, organized and cybercrime, as well as border security.
To this end, we propose to hold an expert-level conference “Central Asia- European Union: a New Agenda for Security Cooperation”.
The Afghan problem is at our focus. Unfortunately, the humanitarian situation in Afghanistan is deteriorating rapidly.
According to the United Nations, currently millions of Afghans are on the brink of survival.
In this regard, we urge our partners not to reduce the volume of humanitarian assistance to the Afghan people. We are ready to continue to provide for these purposes the use of logistics hub in Termez.
We propose to continue regular consultations of our special representatives to develop common approaches to address topical issues of resolving the situation in Afghanistan and its peaceful development.
Editor Pakistan in the World , Expert on Central Asia and European Union affairs , Mr. Tazeen Akhtar, in his comment has termed the suggestions of the President as key elements of bilateral and multilateral shared development of the regions. He said ,” Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan especially and other Central Asian Republics in connectivity, provide infrastructure and corridors for not only the regions but for the continents to meet and exchange experiences, expertise, products, technology and above all acceptability and understanding of one another for common prosperity and peace in the world.
