Czech Republic – a strategic gateway to Europe

After the visit…

The Czech Republic holds an important place on the global industrial map. Enterprises that apply Czech technologies and equipment place quality and precision at the forefront. Today, as Uzbekistan modernizes its industry, we need precisely such partners with a well-developed engineering culture.

Thanks to the policy of openness and active diplomacy of the New Uzbekistan, ties with advanced countries are taking on new content. Cooperation with the Czech Republic is now going beyond simple trade operations, evolving into a deep technological partnership. Despite the geographical distance, we are close in our goals and aspirations.

Relations with the Czech Republic – an economic driver of Central Europe – serve as a solid bridge to bring domestic products to the European Union market.

The official welcoming ceremony for the Prime Minister of the Czech Republic Andrej Babiš at the Kuksaroy Residence on April 30 this year, along with high-level talks, served as a practical embodiment of the aspiration to strengthen the partnership. The sincere dialogue between the leaders and the substantial package of signed documents marked the beginning of a new era in Uzbek-Czech relations.

Regarding the practical outcomes and strategic significance of the visit, we spoke with Amir Sultonov, the Head of the Treaty-Law Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

– How will the documents signed after the talks affect the future of bilateral relations?

– The agreements reached serve as a political foundation for transforming interactions and moving beyond the framework of traditional cooperation. The main priority is the formation of a stable and predictable partnership.

For example, the agreement on standardization and metrology effectively opens the way for domestic products to enter the European market, serving as a “technological passport”. The task is not so much to import foreign products as to promote local brands by ensuring their compliance with strict European Union standards. This development vector is fundamental to strengthening economic independence.

– During the visit, particular attention was paid to finalizing a contract with Škoda and to projects in the mining industry. Could you please comment on these agreements?

– It is important to understand that this cooperation goes beyond the mere purchase of equipment. We are moving from a model of direct consumption to deep industrial cooperation. The key objective is not simply to import equipment but to create conditions for localizing the production of complex components and assemblies directly in Uzbekistan. This will make it possible to train a new generation of engineering personnel capable of working with Western technologies.

As for the mining sector, the interests of Uzbekistan and the Czech Republic converge on modernizing the resource base. We need not only equipment but also modern, environmentally responsible methods for subsoil use and systems for the deep processing of raw materials. Such an approach forms the foundation of our strategy to move away from being a raw-material appendage and transition to an economy that produces high-value-added products. Each agreement contributes to genuine economic sovereignty and the well-being of citizens.

In conclusion, a consistent diplomatic approach and mutually beneficial projects have significantly brought Uzbekistan and the Czech Republic closer together, despite their geographical distance. The signed documents will support the industry’s innovative development and sustainable economic growth in both countries.

Interviewed by Ikrom Avvalboyev, UzA