Shavkat Mirziyoyev holds talks with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in Tashkent

During the talks, the parties discussed strengthening the Uzbekistan–Italy strategic partnership and expanding multifaceted cooperation across economic, cultural, and scientific spheres. Mirziyoyev and Meloni expressed satisfaction with the steady implementation of agreements reached at the highest level during the May 2025 summit in Samarkand.

Active dialogue continues across various levels of government and industry. Trade turnover and the number of joint ventures are steadily increasing, while interregional cooperation, including exchanges with Lombardy, is developing. Quotas have been allocated to facilitate the orderly labor migration of Uzbek citizens to Italy.

Major industrial projects are underway with Italian partners such as Finopera, ANCI, Pietro Fiorentini, and Danieli. Last year, a branch of the University of Tuscia was opened in Samarkand, marking a milestone in academic collaboration.

Looking ahead, the two countries plan to hold meetings of the strategic foreign policy dialogue, sessions of the intergovernmental commission, and the second Rectors’ Forum in 2026. Discussions also focused on advancing joint projects in key sectors, including textiles, geology, energy, chemicals, construction materials, and financial services.

The leaders agreed to organize Days of Uzbek Cinema in Italy and Days of Italian Cinema in Uzbekistan, while supporting Uzbekistan’s participation in the upcoming Venice Biennale and hosting applied arts and museum exhibitions in Milan later this year.

The sides also exchanged views on international and regional developments, reaffirming their commitment to deepening bilateral cooperation.

At the conclusion of the meeting, President Mirziyoyev extended an invitation to Prime Minister Meloni for a separate official visit to Uzbekistan.