President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev participated in the 10th meeting of the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council in Moscow on May 8 as the head of an observer state. The meeting, chaired by the Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan, was also attended by the presidents of Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and as the head of an observer state - the president of Cuba.
During his speech, Shavkat Mirziyoyev outlined five priorities for cooperation between Uzbekistan and the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU). He emphasized the importance of supporting and stimulating trade and economic ties between countries, promoting cooperation projects, and creating conditions for the growth of mutual investments in the current complex global situation.
Over the past three years of cooperation between Uzbekistan and the EAEU as an observer state, mutual trade volumes have increased by 60%, mainly due to the increase in industrial product deliveries. Additionally, the share of settlements in national currencies has also increased. More than 1000 joint enterprises and projects have been launched, with growing volumes of freight transportation and a doubling of regular flights. Uzbekistan has actively engaged in industry projects and programs related to digitalizing trade and freight transportation, e-commerce, climate issues, as stated by the head of state.
Priority areas of cooperation between Uzbekistan and the EAEU:
1. Uzbekistan is interested in expanding practical partnerships and actively participating in implementing multilateral projects within the strategic directions of the EAEU development. Shavkat Mirziyoyev proposed preparing a new comprehensive Plan of joint activities between the government of Uzbekistan and the Eurasian Economic Commission for the medium term.
2. The president confirmed readiness for mutual elimination of barriers and restrictions in trade with EAEU countries. Procedures for Uzbekistan's accession to the Rules of Determining the Origin of Goods from 2009 have already been initiated. Concrete steps in this direction could include electronic data exchange on goods and vehicles crossing customs borders, integrating information systems for sanitary, phytosanitary, and veterinary control, adopting a Plan for harmonizing technical regulation measures, and implementing electronic certification.
3. It is crucial to continue close dialogue on developing the North-South transport corridor towards markets in South and Southeast Asia, the Middle East. To simplify transit procedures between countries, the president suggested developing a comprehensive set of measures for digital interaction with the implemented Unified EAEU Customs Transit System.
4. Uzbekistan intends to actively support industrial cooperation projects and production localization programs for demanded products. A separate "roadmap" in this direction is proposed, including setting up new capacities in industrial zones and technoparks jointly created in the regions of the countries. Additionally, Uzbekistan is interested in utilizing special mechanisms to support industrial cooperation programs within the EAEU framework.
5. President Shavkat Mirziyoyev highlighted the importance of establishing systematic work and expanding cooperation with EAEU bodies in areas such as developing the Eurasian Agroexpress, implementing "green" and water-saving technologies, supporting the creation of joint agro-industrial clusters and logistics centers, developing common approaches, and close collaboration in addressing climate change consequences. He also emphasized the significance of creating favorable conditions and social guarantees for the activities of labor migrants in the countries, connecting them to digital platforms, developing joint tourist programs and products to significantly increase tourist exchange.
