At the 17th meeting of the EU-Uzbekistan Cooperation Council, held in Luxembourg, talks were held in an ‘open and constructive atmosphere, according to European diplomats. Ahead of Uzbekistan’s referendum on amending its constitution, the two sides discussed the country’s ambitious programme of political reforms, writes Political Editor Nick Powell.

The latest EU-Uzbekistan Cooperation Council saw further progress in the increasingly positive relationship between the European Union and the Central Asian Republic. On the referendum to amend the constitution, the EU welcomed the opportunity for the people to have their say and stressed its support for meaningful consultation and public debate.

The referendum asks voters if they approve of changes affecting some two thirds of the constitution. It estimated that the state’s formal obligations to its citizens will be tripled. It will also lengthen presidential terms of office, enabling President Shavkat Mirziyoyev to seek reelection.

The two sides looked forward to the coming into force of their new Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement, which was concluded last July. It was described by the EU side as an important step forward in the relationship, expanding cooperation and broadening its scope.

There was also discussion on good governance, democratisation, human rights protection and engagement with civil society. President Mirziyoyev has pledged tangible socioeconomic improvements, including better employment and housing conditions, poverty alleviation and a ‘listening state’ that actively engages in dialogue with its citizens to address their grievances.

Topics covered during the meeting included trade, economic, energy and investment cooperation between Uzbekistan and EU countries, as well as its accession to the World Trade Council and qualification for the European Union’s Generalised Scheme of Preferences Plus. GSP+ offers zero rate tariffs on two thirds of imports to the EU, in return for implementing 27 international conventions on human rights, labour rights, the environment and good governance.

Such efforts to strengthen Uzbekistan’s role in the global economic and political system have been a central part of its government’s strategy in recent years. The EU welcomed Uzbekistan’s active and constructive outreach to neighbouring countries and international partners. The discussions touched on the situation in Afghanistan and the war in Ukraine.

The meeting was chaired by Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavsky, with Uzbek Foreign Minister Bakhtiyor Saidov also holding bilateral discussions with a large number of other EU foreign ministers and with the EU’s High Representative, Josep Borell. Foreign Minister Saidov said he was pleased to have had talks with the High Representative. “We discussed EU-Central Asian interregional relations and the widening partnership in supporting vital reforms in Uzbekistan”, he noted afterwards.

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