The delegation of the European Parliament, led by Chairman of the Delegation of the European Parliament for Relations with Countries of Central Asia Tomáš Zdechovský, visited the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

The current state and prospects of bilateral cooperation were discussed during the conversation with the Chairperson of the Senate, Tanzila Narbayeva.

The parties noted the high level of political dialogue and the dynamics of the expansion of inter-parliamentary relations.

Special attention was paid to the results of the 150th IPU Assembly, held last week in Tashkent. Delegations from 18 European countries’ participation was noted as clear evidence of support for relations with the European Union.

President Shavkat Mirziyoyev’s speech, which provoked a wide international response, was highly appreciated.

The results of the Central Asia – European Union Summit, held on April 4-5 in Samarkand, were also considered.

The importance of the reached agreements, including the opening of a regional representative office of the European Investment Bank in Tashkent, was emphasized.

Following the meeting, the parties confirmed their mutual interest in further deepening the interparliamentary dialogue between the Senate of the Oliy Majlis and the European Parliament.

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The Senate of the Oliy Majlis hosted the 18th Meeting of the Uzbekistan – European Union Parliamentary Cooperation Committee. At the meeting, priority areas for further expansion and strengthening of cooperation between Uzbekistan and the European Union were discussed.

Cooperation has significantly intensified in recent years. The First Central Asia – European Union Summit, held on April 4-5, 2025, in Samarkand, is a striking example. The summit’s results are of particular importance because they have elevated relations between the two regions to a new, strategic level.

The strengthening economic cooperation between Uzbekistan and the European Union, supporting entrepreneurship, improving the investment climate, and deepening ties in education were also discussed at the Committee’s meeting. In particular, the importance of expanding opportunities for Uzbekistan youth to receive education in European countries through the Erasmus+ program was noted.

Issues of studying the experience of the European Union countries in combating cybercrime and cooperation in ensuring information security were also considered.

The parties discussed prospects for cooperation in ensuring environmental stability, particularly mitigating the consequences of the ecological crisis in the Aral Sea region. Joint initiatives on effective water resources management and the implementation of regional ecological projects were announced.

Following the meeting, the parties agreed to hold a regular meeting of the Uzbekistan – European Union Parliamentary Cooperation Committee in the first half of 2026.

Norgul Abduraimova, UzA