{"id":53636,"date":"2025-10-21T06:50:16","date_gmt":"2025-10-21T06:50:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pakistanintheworld.pk\/live\/?p=53636"},"modified":"2025-10-21T06:50:16","modified_gmt":"2025-10-21T06:50:16","slug":"uzbekistan-and-belgium-toward-a-new-stage-of-strategic-partnership-with-the-european-union","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pakistanintheworld.pk\/live\/uzbekistan-and-belgium-toward-a-new-stage-of-strategic-partnership-with-the-european-union\/","title":{"rendered":"Uzbekistan and Belgium: Toward a New Stage of Strategic Partnership with the European Union"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><strong><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-53638\" src=\"https:\/\/pakistanintheworld.pk\/live\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Blegium-Uzbekistan.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"500\" height=\"303\" srcset=\"https:\/\/pakistanintheworld.pk\/live\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Blegium-Uzbekistan.jpg 500w, https:\/\/pakistanintheworld.pk\/live\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Blegium-Uzbekistan-300x182.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/>Obid Khakimov,<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><em>Director of the Center for Economic Research and Reforms (Uzbekistan)<\/em><\/p>\n<p>In October, the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, will pay a visit to the Kingdom of Belgium, during which important decisions are expected to be made that will mark a qualitatively new stage in relations between Uzbekistan and the European Union. In particular, the visit will feature the signing of the Agreement on Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation.<\/p>\n<p>In recent years, Uzbekistan has been actively shaping a new framework of engagement with Europe \u2013 a key pillar of stability amid current geopolitical tensions and global economic uncertainty. The ties between Uzbekistan and European countries continue to grow, and the areas of cooperation are diversifying, supported by the ongoing reforms in Uzbekistan.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span class=\"td_btn td_btn_lg td_shadow_btn\">Building a New Chapter in Relations<\/span><\/p>\n<p>After gaining independence, Uzbekistan\u2019s relations with the European Union developed dynamically. A Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of Uzbekistan and the European Commission was signed in 1992, followed by the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1994. The foundation of cooperation was laid by the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA) signed in June 1996 and entering into force in 1999.<\/p>\n<p>However, at a certain stage, cooperation faced difficulties due to the insufficient pace of democratic reforms in Uzbekistan.<\/p>\n<p>With the election of Shavkat Mirziyoyev as President, the situation changed dramatically. As early as 2017, during his visit to Tashkent, Stefano Manservisi, Director-General for International Cooperation and Development of the European Commission, stated that \u201cthe EU regards Uzbekistan as a strategic partner.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The sweeping democratic and economic reforms launched in Uzbekistan helped resolve within a short period many issues that had long remained unsolved. Forced labor was completely eradicated, and reforms in the cotton sector enabled the country to abandon raw cotton exports altogether.<\/p>\n<p>As reforms advanced, the legal and institutional framework of relations with Europe expanded rapidly. While previously Uzbekistan and the EU granted each other most-favored-nation treatment under the PCA, in April 2021 the EU granted Uzbekistan GSP+ beneficiary status, and in 2022 the Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (EPCA) was initialed.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"wp-embedded-content\" data-secret=\"ihuaRJWksu\"><p><a href=\"https:\/\/pakistanintheworld.pk\/live\/h-e-alisher-tukhtaev-uzbekistan-and-pakistan-strategic-partners-with-a-spirit-of-brotherhood\/\">H.E. Alisher Tukhtaev : Uzbekistan and Pakistan \u2013 Strategic Partners with a Spirit of Brotherhood<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><iframe class=\"wp-embedded-content\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts\" security=\"restricted\" style=\"position: absolute; clip: rect(1px, 1px, 1px, 1px);\" title=\"&#8220;H.E. Alisher Tukhtaev : Uzbekistan and Pakistan \u2013 Strategic Partners with a Spirit of Brotherhood&#8221; &#8212; Pakistan In the World\" src=\"https:\/\/pakistanintheworld.pk\/live\/h-e-alisher-tukhtaev-uzbekistan-and-pakistan-strategic-partners-with-a-spirit-of-brotherhood\/embed\/#?secret=3yTpXElexY#?secret=ihuaRJWksu\" data-secret=\"ihuaRJWksu\" width=\"600\" height=\"338\" frameborder=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>Along with internal transformation, Uzbekistan\u2019s foreign policy architecture also changed. Priority was given to closer cooperation with neighboring Central Asian states, as well as the active expansion of ties with European countries \u2013 a vector that has strengthened steadily in recent years.<\/p>\n<p>Just in the past year, Uzbekistan established strategic partnership relations with France, Italy, and Slovakia, while discussions on expanding strategic cooperation with Hungary continued. President Mirziyoyev also visited Slovenia, and Italy\u2019s Prime Minister and Bulgaria\u2019s President visited Uzbekistan.<\/p>\n<p>A milestone in strengthening relations between Uzbekistan and Europe, and between Europe and Central Asia as a whole \u2013 was the first EU\u2013Central Asia Summit, held in Samarkand in April 2025 under the chairmanship of Shavkat Mirziyoyev.<\/p>\n<p>Uzbekistan presented a broad range of initiatives to create a new model of regional cooperation between Central Asia and Europe, including: a multilateral agreement on investment protection and promotion; the launch of a Central Asia\u2013EU Joint Chamber of Commerce; the adoption of a regional support program for SMEs and women\u2019s entrepreneurship; the establishment of an investment platform to promote regional projects in green energy, innovation, transport, infrastructure, and agriculture.<\/p>\n<p>The Samarkand Summit was highly productive. A Joint Declaration was adopted, establishing a strategic partnership between the two regions in trade, transport, energy, digital connectivity, and water management. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced that the EU had prepared a \u20ac12 billion investment package for Central Asia under the Global Gateway initiative.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span class=\"td_btn td_btn_lg td_shadow_btn\">The Trajectory of Economic Cooperation<\/span><\/p>\n<p>Uzbekistan\u2019s deep democratic transformations have significantly improved relations with European countries. Economic reforms have enhanced the competitiveness of Uzbekistan\u2019s economy, stimulating investor confidence and growing interest from European businesses.<br \/>\nThe results are impressive.<\/p>\n<p>Over the past 8 years, Uzbekistan\u2019s GDP has doubled, reaching $115 billion in 2024. Since 2017, investment in fixed capital has totaled $240 billion, of which foreign investment exceeded $130 billion.<\/p>\n<p>The country\u2019s foreign exchange reserves surpassed $48 billion for the first time in history. Structurally, the share of industry in the economy increased from 20% to 26%, and services from 44% to 47%. Labor productivity (GDP per employed person) rose by 45%.<\/p>\n<p>As a result, opportunities for mutually beneficial cooperation between Uzbek and European businesses have expanded. Between 2017 and 2024, Uzbekistan\u2019s trade with the EU increased 2.4 times to $6.4 billion; exports grew 3.6 times to $1.7 billion, and imports 2.2 times to $4.7 billion. In 2024, the EU\u2019s share in Uzbekistan\u2019s total trade turnover was 9.7%, in exports 6.3%, and in imports 12%. The EU ranked third among Uzbekistan\u2019s trade partners, after China and Russia.<\/p>\n<p>The EU\u2019s share in Uzbekistan\u2019s total exports increased from 3.8% to 6.3% over the same period. This growth was driven by Uzbekistan\u2019s accession to the GSP+ preferential trade system, granting duty-free access to the EU market across roughly 6,200 tariff lines. The share of Uzbekistan\u2019s exports benefiting from GSP+ reached 59%, with a preference utilization rate of 84%, indicating efficient use of trade benefits.<\/p>\n<p>In 2024, Uzbekistan\u2019s exports to the EU were dominated by chemical products (52.1%), as well as textiles, ferrous and non-ferrous metals, minerals, and food products. Among EU members, France accounted for 47.2% of exports, Lithuania for 10%, and Latvia for 6.9%.<br \/>\nUzbekistan\u2019s imports from the EU significantly exceeded exports \u2013 a reflection of the ongoing technological modernization of the national economy.<\/p>\n<p>Around 16% of Uzbekistan\u2019s total imports of machinery, equipment, and transport vehicles come from EU countries.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"wp-embedded-content\" data-secret=\"qgeSFTCosf\"><p><a href=\"https:\/\/pakistanintheworld.pk\/live\/tourism-as-a-bridge-for-cooperation-between-uzbekistan-and-the-eu\/\">Tourism as a bridge for cooperation between Uzbekistan and the EU<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><iframe class=\"wp-embedded-content\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts\" security=\"restricted\" style=\"position: absolute; clip: rect(1px, 1px, 1px, 1px);\" title=\"&#8220;Tourism as a bridge for cooperation between Uzbekistan and the EU&#8221; &#8212; Pakistan In the World\" src=\"https:\/\/pakistanintheworld.pk\/live\/tourism-as-a-bridge-for-cooperation-between-uzbekistan-and-the-eu\/embed\/#?secret=gRqBwllGgp#?secret=qgeSFTCosf\" data-secret=\"qgeSFTCosf\" width=\"600\" height=\"338\" frameborder=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span class=\"td_btn td_btn_lg td_shadow_btn\">Investment cooperation is also expanding rapidly.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>In 2024, foreign investments and loans from EU countries and their financial institutions increased by 77%, reaching $4.1 billion (compared to $2.3 billion in 2023). The most active investors were Germany ($1.37 billion), the Netherlands ($1.05 billion), Cyprus ($858.9 million), the Czech Republic ($137.8 million), Italy ($99.8 million), and Sweden ($97.5 million). Today, around 1,000 enterprises with EU capital operate in Uzbekistan, with a total project portfolio of \u20ac30 billion.<\/p>\n<p>A special role in recent years belongs to the EBRD, of which Uzbekistan has become one of the largest beneficiaries. The Bank\u2019s total investments in Uzbekistan\u2019s economy exceeded \u20ac5 billion, including around \u20ac1 billion in 2024, primarily directed toward the private sector.<br \/>\nReforms in Uzbekistan have become the key driver for unlocking the significant potential of trade and economic cooperation with the European Union.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span class=\"td_btn td_btn_lg td_shadow_btn\">Uzbekistan\u2013Belgium<\/span><\/p>\n<p>The upcoming visit will also focus on strengthening relations between Uzbekistan and Belgium. Diplomatic relations were established following the opening of the Embassy of Uzbekistan in Brussels in 1993.<\/p>\n<p>In 1996, the two countries signed an Agreement on avoidance of double taxation, and in 1998 \u2013 an Agreement on mutual protection and promotion of investments, which provide legal guarantees for investors in both states.<\/p>\n<p>Business contacts have intensified in parallel with Uzbekistan\u2019s reform agenda. The visits of 2019 and 2022 set the tone for cooperation in infrastructure, energy, and the digital economy. More important than the current trade volumes has been the recognition and support of Uzbekistan\u2019s reforms by EU partners, laying the foundation for long-term engagement.<\/p>\n<p>In 2024, bilateral trade amounted to $62.3 million, including $7.3 million in Uzbek exports and $55 million in imports. Investment cooperation is gaining momentum: several dozen companies with Belgian capital now operate in Uzbekistan, including wholly owned enterprises.<\/p>\n<p>New technologies are being localized, for example, Jaga Climate Designers is participating in a joint venture for heating and ventilation systems, and Picanol Group is localizing the assembly of high-tech textile machinery. Belgian brands Belcolade and Prefamac are exploring opportunities to launch chocolate production with subsequent localization.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"wp-embedded-content\" data-secret=\"M5dkqHoRJv\"><p><a href=\"https:\/\/pakistanintheworld.pk\/live\/a-new-gateway-for-pakistani-travelers-and-global-connections-uzbekistan-airways-expands-tashkent-islamabad-flights\/\">A New Gateway for Pakistani Travelers and Global Connections: Uzbekistan Airways Expands Tashkent-Islamabad Flights<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><iframe class=\"wp-embedded-content\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts\" security=\"restricted\" style=\"position: absolute; clip: rect(1px, 1px, 1px, 1px);\" title=\"&#8220;A New Gateway for Pakistani Travelers and Global Connections: Uzbekistan Airways Expands Tashkent-Islamabad Flights&#8221; &#8212; Pakistan In the World\" src=\"https:\/\/pakistanintheworld.pk\/live\/a-new-gateway-for-pakistani-travelers-and-global-connections-uzbekistan-airways-expands-tashkent-islamabad-flights\/embed\/#?secret=YvznVJQytJ#?secret=M5dkqHoRJv\" data-secret=\"M5dkqHoRJv\" width=\"600\" height=\"338\" frameborder=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>Despite modest trade volumes, there is significant potential for expanding cooperation in several areas. Given Belgium\u2019s leading role in pharmaceuticals and biomedical research and Uzbekistan\u2019s growing pharmaceutical market, joint ventures or industrial clusters could be developed in this sector, involving companies such as UCB and Janssen Pharmaceutica.<\/p>\n<p>There is also strong potential for joint fruit and vegetable processing projects in Uzbekistan, targeting exports to the EU via Belgian logistics hubs such as the Port of Antwerp and wholesale markets. Potential partners include Greenyard and Puratos.<\/p>\n<p>Direct seasonal exports of fresh fruits (e.g., grapes in autumn and winter), as well as dried vegetables, spices, and organic products, could also be expanded. In light industry, there is room to increase exports of ready-made knitwear and home textiles, provided European quality and safety standards are met. The market potential is evident \u2013 Belgium imported about $7.9 billion worth of clothing in 2024.<\/p>\n<p>The main challenges remain logistics and standards. Belgium functions as a major EU maritime hub centered around Antwerp, while direct routes from Uzbekistan are still limited.<\/p>\n<p>The near-term priority should be pilot supply chains ensuring quality and traceability, the development of cold logistics, certification under EU technical and sanitary regulations, the use of Benelux consolidation hubs, and trade finance tools for SMEs. With the gradual development of new overland routes along the Middle Corridor, Uzbekistan will gain a stronger foothold in high value-added exports without higher costs or delivery delays.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span class=\"td_btn td_btn_lg td_shadow_btn\">Conclusion<\/span><\/p>\n<p>Uzbekistan is entering a stage of deepened economic cooperation with the European Union. During the ongoing modernization and digital transformation of its economy, European investment, technology, education, and research experience can play a key role. At the same time, Uzbekistan seeks to expand exports of industrial goods as their quality improves.<\/p>\n<p>Uzbekistan is also a rapidly growing market with a young and dynamic population, now reaching 38 million people \u2013 an 18% increase since 2017. Every year, around 700,000 economically active individuals enter the labor market, forming a substantial human resource base for the economy, including joint ventures.<\/p>\n<p>As a result of poverty reduction policies, living standards and household incomes have risen significantly. Whereas a third of the population once lived below the poverty line, 7.5 million people have been lifted out of poverty, and the poverty rate declined to 8.9% in 2024, with plans to reduce it further to 6% this year. These policies not only address social challenges but also expand domestic demand, increasing the interest of European businesses in entering Uzbekistan\u2019s market.<\/p>\n<p>The further deepening of Uzbekistan\u2019s economic engagement with the EU and Belgium is an objectively mutually beneficial process \u2013 one that will define the success of the upcoming state visit of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev to Belgium.<\/p>\n<p>The agreements expected to be signed will help advance joint projects in sustainable energy and infrastructure, strengthen transport and technological connectivity between Central Asia and Europe, and position Europe as a key partner in Uzbekistan\u2019s long-term growth and modernization trajectory.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"wp-embedded-content\" data-secret=\"hV9GvCos0n\"><p><a href=\"https:\/\/pakistanintheworld.pk\/live\/pakistan-in-the-world-february-2025\/\">Pakistan in the World \u2013 February 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><iframe class=\"wp-embedded-content\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts\" security=\"restricted\" style=\"position: absolute; clip: rect(1px, 1px, 1px, 1px);\" title=\"&#8220;Pakistan in the World \u2013 February 2025&#8221; &#8212; Pakistan In the World\" src=\"https:\/\/pakistanintheworld.pk\/live\/pakistan-in-the-world-february-2025\/embed\/#?secret=T2BCDr2Sli#?secret=hV9GvCos0n\" data-secret=\"hV9GvCos0n\" width=\"600\" height=\"338\" frameborder=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Obid Khakimov, Director of the Center for Economic Research and Reforms (Uzbekistan) In October, the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, will pay a visit to the Kingdom of Belgium, during which important decisions are expected to be made that will mark a qualitatively new stage in relations between Uzbekistan and the European [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":53638,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[93],"tags":[734,140,125],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/pakistanintheworld.pk\/live\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/53636"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/pakistanintheworld.pk\/live\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/pakistanintheworld.pk\/live\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pakistanintheworld.pk\/live\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pakistanintheworld.pk\/live\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=53636"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/pakistanintheworld.pk\/live\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/53636\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":53641,"href":"https:\/\/pakistanintheworld.pk\/live\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/53636\/revisions\/53641"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pakistanintheworld.pk\/live\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/53638"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/pakistanintheworld.pk\/live\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=53636"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pakistanintheworld.pk\/live\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=53636"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pakistanintheworld.pk\/live\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=53636"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}