Uzbekistan, EU to Sign Landmark Partnership Agreement in Brussels

On October 24, 2025, Uzbekistan’s President Shavkat Mirziyoyev will visit Brussels to sign the Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (EPCA) with the European Union - a landmark deal that elevates relations far beyond trade, creating a comprehensive framework for political, economic, and social cooperation.

The EPCA marks a new phase in Uzbekistan-EU relations, reflecting Uzbekistan’s sweeping reforms since 2017 and the EU’s recognition of its growing regional importance, The Caspian Post reports via Eurasia Review.

Over the past five years, trade between the two sides has more than doubled to 6.4 billion euros, while European investment in Uzbekistan has surged, with over 1,000 joint ventures and a 40 billion-euro-portfolio spanning energy, industry, and digital innovation.

The agreement introduces modern mechanisms covering trade in goods and services, intellectual property, investment protection, and regulatory alignment, promising a more predictable environment for investors and faster project implementation in green energy, logistics, manufacturing, and digital services.

Uzbekistan’s central location also makes it a key partner in the EU’s 12 billion-euro-Global Gateway initiative, which focuses on transport, renewable energy, critical raw materials, and digital connectivity across Central Asia. The EPCA is expected to give these projects stronger institutional and financial backing.

Beyond economics, the agreement strengthens cooperation in governance, human rights, education, and sustainability, building on Uzbekistan’s participation in the EU’s GSP+ scheme. Joint efforts in research, higher education, and digital transformation - including Erasmus+ and Horizon-style programs - will help align Uzbekistan’s workforce with the demands of a modern, innovation-driven economy.

Strategically, the EPCA also expands collaboration on security, migration, environmental protection, and counterterrorism, creating regular dialogue platforms to address regional and global challenges.

For Uzbekistan, the deal represents a diversification strategy, balancing strong ties with Russia, China, and Türkiye while expanding partnerships with Europe’s high-standard, sustainable investors.

The signing of the EPCA symbolizes Europe’s trust in Uzbekistan’s reform path and positions the country as a reliable and forward-looking partner in Eurasia. As the agreement takes effect, both sides aim to turn this ambitious framework into tangible results - from upgraded trade corridors to joint industrial projects and governance reforms.