At the Presidential Palace in Ljubljana, the Presidents of Uzbekistan and Slovenia, Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Nataša Pirc Musar, held talks in a limited format, with official delegations also taking part.
The President of Uzbekistan thanked the Slovenian Leader for the warm welcome and emphasized that this first top-level summit in 20 years would go down in history as the beginning of a new stage in bilateral relations, The Caspian Post reports citing UzA.
The talks focused on key issues related to further developing practical cooperation between Uzbekistan and Slovenia.
It was noted with satisfaction that political dialogue, contacts at various levels, and business exchanges have intensified. Mutual support is being provided within the framework of the United Nations and other international organizations.
In recent years, trade turnover has tripled. Cultural and tourism exchanges are expanding, and a visa-free regime is in effect for Slovenian citizens.
Regular dialogue at the highest and senior levels was emphasized to ensure a more structured bilateral relationship.
Particular attention was given to increasing trade turnover, with a goal of reaching €500 million in the initial phase, primarily through expanding the range of goods and promoting import substitution.
This includes exports from Uzbekistan, such as textile products, fruit and vegetable produce, mineral fertilizers, copper products, and other industrial goods, and from Slovenia - pharmaceutical products, advanced technologies, and equipment.
Opportunities will be explored to utilize the potential of Slovenia’s Port of Koper as a logistics hub for access to the European Union market.
Agreements were reached on adopting an Industrial Cooperation Program with leading Slovenian companies, as well as implementing projects for the production of modern equipment, industrial and agricultural goods, the localization of pharmaceutical manufacturing, including products based on honey and medicinal herbs, and the construction and modernization of energy facilities, among other initiatives.
To establish a structured approach to cooperation in labor migration, it was agreed to prepare an Agreement on Organized Labor Migration, including developing training and adaptation programs focusing on language, professional skills, and labor standards.
Tourism development, particularly in rural and mountainous regions, was identified as a promising area of cooperation. In education, the two sides agreed to sign an agreement on mutual recognition of diplomas and to launch joint academic programs with the University of Ljubljana and the University of Maribor.
In addition, a Joint Youth Forum on Innovative Projects will be held next year in Tashkent with the participation of universities and research centers from both countries.
To strengthen humanitarian exchange, the parties expressed support for organizing reciprocal Days of Culture and a Week of Uzbek Cinema in Ljubljana.
To advance all agreed initiatives, it was decided to hold the first meeting of the Intergovernmental Commission in July this year in Ljubljana.
Following the meeting, the President of Uzbekistan invited the President of Slovenia, Nataša Pirc Musar, to pay an official visit to Uzbekistan at a convenient time.
