Uzbekistan engages in WTO accession talks with Russia

According to Chief Negotiator Azizbek Urunov, discussions with Russian Minister of Economic Development Maxim Reshetnikov focused on "unresolved issues" related to mutual market access.

"The negotiations were productive, meaningful, and constructive. At this stage, both sides are striving to move forward. I would like to express my gratitude to our Russian colleagues for their prompt response to the files we submitted in a short period of time," Urunov wrote on his LinkedIn page on March 14.

The press service of Russia’s Ministry of Economic Development reported that Minister Reshetnikov noted an increase in Russian gas, oil, and petroleum product exports to Uzbekistan, in line with agreements between the presidents of both countries.

"In this context, the importance of implementing planned projects to modernize Uzbekistan’s energy infrastructure was emphasized," the statement from March 12 reads.

Reshetnikov further highlighted the growth in food trade between the two countries, noting a near balance: Uzbekistan imports around $1 billion worth of food products from Russia, while Russia imports nearly the same amount from Uzbekistan.

During the visit, Deputy Prime Minister Khodjaev also met with Russia’s First Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov and Deputy Prime Minister Denis Patrushev on March 11. The Uzbek delegation included Central Bank Chairman Timur Ishmetov and First Deputy Minister of Transport Mamanbiy Omarov.

Uzbekistan has announced its goal of completing the WTO accession process by the end of March 2026, ahead of the organization's summit in Cameroon.