Brussels hosted the Uzbekistan – European Union Forum, organized in cooperation with leading think tanks of Uzbekistan and Europe, the Development Strategy Center, and the Embassy of Uzbekistan in Belgium.

First Deputy Chairman of the Senate of the Oliy Majlis Sodiq Safoyev addressed the forum. During the event, the experts of think tanks reviewed the relations of the European Union with Uzbekistan and Central Asia and discussed the main aspects of cooperation, particularly the prospects for strengthening bilateral and multilateral ties in the region.

The experts focused on the possibilities of strengthening economic integration and trade between the European Union and Central Asian countries and the dynamics of cooperation with Uzbekistan.

The region’s strategic role in global economic and political processes, including the impact of transport and energy corridors, sustainable infrastructure development, support for green transition, and digitalization, was also discussed. The participants stressed the importance of strengthening mutual trust and strategic dialogue between the European Union and the countries of the region.

Issues of sustainable development, joint initiatives in education and cultural exchange, regional stability and security, and cooperation in combating cross-border threats were also discussed.

The event also included a meeting between representatives of the Uzbekistan delegation of think tanks and the Director General of the Royal Institute for International Relations (EGMONT), Pol De Witte. The participants were informed about the reforms being implemented in Uzbekistan, particularly about the essence and significance of the Uzbekistan 2030 Strategy.

In turn, the Director General of the EGMONT Institute, Pol De Witte, highly appreciated the ongoing process of socio-economic modernization in Uzbekistan and Uzbekistan’s pragmatic and constructive foreign policy, which strengthens stability in the region.

The participants exchanged views on the prospects for developing cooperation between the think tanks of Uzbekistan and the EGMONT Institute. Issues of developing joint initiatives and their practical implementation were also discussed.

A.Rustamov, UzA