EU to grant Uzbekistan tariff benefits as part of the Generalized System of Preferences Plus

On January 23, 2019, Deputy Foreign Minister of Uzbekistan Dilshod Akhatov met with the European Union Special Representative for Central Asia Peter Burian, who arrived in Tashkent leading the EU delegation to attend the high-level conference titled “EU-Central Asia”, which discusses environmental issues, climate change and water use, the press service of the MFA reported.

During the conversation, the sides discussed issues of further deepening bilateral cooperation in all key areas of mutual relations.

The parties noted with satisfaction the launch of the negotiation process on the draft Agreement on the expanded partnership and cooperation between Uzbekistan and the European Union. In this context, they considered proposals for holding the first round of negotiations in early February on this issue in the city of Tashkent.

The European side expressed support for the Multi-Partner Human Rights Trust Fund for the Aral Sea region initiated by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, which was created with the participation of UN Secretary-General António Guterres.

The EU Special Representative confirmed the readiness of the European Union to support and provide technical assistance to Uzbekistan in the process of joining the World Trade Organization.

The parties also exchanged views on the schedule for holding regular meetings of joint institutions on interaction, including the Uzbekistan-European Union Cooperation Committee and the Subcommittee on Economy, Trade and Investments. They also discussed prospects for Uzbekistan receiving tariff benefits as part of the Generalized System of Preferences Plus.

The head of the EU Delegation to Uzbekistan, Ambassador Eduards Stiprais, took part in the talks.