Address by the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev at the Second Central Asia-European Union Summit
Distinguished
heads of delegations!
I am
pleased to welcome all participants of the next Central Asia - European Union
leaders' meeting.
I would
like to echo the words of thanks to the President of Kyrgyz Republic
distinguished Sadyr Nurgojoevich Japarov for excellent organization of the
summit and traditional warm and cordial hospitality extended to us in
Cholpon-Ata – one of the most scenic places in our region.
I express
special gratitude to the President of the European Union distinguished Mr.
Charles Michel.
Your
commitment and full support for the development of a constructive
political dialogue and multifaceted cooperation with the countries of Central
Asia to large extent determine the efficiency of our contacts.
Dear
colleagues!
Less than a
year has passed since our first open, trust-based and productive meeting in
Astana.
During this
short period of time, we have jointly done a lot of work.In November last year,
together we held a high-level conference in Uzbekistan on regional
connectivity, focusing on the promotion of projects in the following areas:
-
Digitalization;
- Transport
communications;
- Energy
and water management, including those under the framework of Global Gateway
Strategy of our European partners.
A number of
major regional projects have been launched to establish a sustainable energy
system in Central Asia; and on vocational education.
I would
like to emphasize the outcomes of the following events:
- the Civil
Society Forum in Tashkent in March;
- the
Second Economic Forum in Almaty and the annual meeting of the European Bank for
Reconstruction and Development in Samarkand, held last month.
These
events have once again demonstrated positive and qualitative changes in our
dialogue with the European partners.
Today,
Central Asia is a center of gravity and space for new economic opportunities
for leading European companies and banks.
And we here
are talking about wider investment and technological partnership aimed at:
- creation
of modern industrial facilities,
-
introduction of "green" energy,
-
development of "smart" agriculture,
- formation
of an extensive transport and logistics infrastructure.
My
colleagues have shared with us some statistical data that I am not going to repeat.
Nevertheless,
I would like to emphasize that there is every reason to expect a doubling of
these figures until 2030.
I will
briefly dwell on Uzbekistan's cooperation with EU countries.
Following
your historic visit to Uzbekistan, Mr. Michel, contacts at all levels have
significantly enhanced. We have held meetings with the leaders of France,
Germany, Hungary and the Czech Republic. We have opened our embassies in
Budapest and Stockholm. I plan to visit Italy next week.
Our trade
with the European Union is growing steadily thanks to the GSP+ beneficiary
status granted to Uzbekistan.
While the
last year the trade turnover increased by 20 percent, since the beginning of
this year, we are witnessing almost 70 percent growth.
The
portfolio of promising projects to create high-tech production and new jobs
with leading European companies and banks exceeds 20 billion euros.
Our
strategic partners include the world's leading corporations such as Siemens,
Linde Group, CLAAS, Airbus, Basf, EDF, Alstom, Total, Orano, OTP Group and many
others. I would like to emphasize that the implementation of joint projects
will radically change the industrial map on the Eurasian continent.
In the
humanitarian sphere, we have implemented two unique projects in partnership
with the Louvre and the New Museum in Berlin.
For the
first time, we have extensively presented the richest cultural and historical
heritage of our entire region in these world-famous art centers.
Dear
participants of the summit!
Despite the
complex geopolitical situation and growing negative trends in the global
economy, the Central Asian countries are demonstrating steady growth.
According
to the latest estimates of EBRD's analysts, economic growth in the region as a
whole will stand at 5.2 percent this year and 5.4 percent next year.
European
experts estimate that Uzbekistan will record 6.5 percent average annual growth
rate.
In
addition, by 2030, we intend to double the GDP and incomes of the population,
and join the ranks of upper-middle-income countries.
The main
factor in achieving this goal will be a policy of rapid industrialization,
including the attraction of foreign investment into the manufacturing
industries.
I would
like to emphasize the importance of further support by our European friends and
partners for our national development programs and the irreversible reforms
strategy.
Distinguished
heads of delegations!
Given the
proposed agenda of the summit, I would like to highlight the following areas of
mutually beneficial cooperation that, in my opinion, should be given priority.
First is
trade. Uzbekistan is interested in drastic expansion of trade relations with
the European Union, primarily in establishing sustainable trade and logistics
chains and creating effective tools for supporting mutual supplies.
Granting
GSP+ beneficiary status to Uzbekistan has become a stimulating factor for the
wider involvement of domestic manufacturers in foreign trade activities, while
improving the quality of the goods produced.
We are
interested in extending these conditions for a new period.
We believe
that extending this preferential regime to all countries in the region will
increase the industrial potential and competitiveness of our economies.
As an
example, I can underscore the readiness of our exporters to export over 500
items of industrial goods worth 4 billion euros to the European market.
At the same
time, there are also a number of issues, such as:
- setting
up in our region a network of modern laboratories, standardization and
certification centers for products in accordance with the EU requirements;
-
increasing the knowledge and capacity of our exporters in terms of operating in
the European market;
- carrying
out activities aimed at raising awareness of the European companies about the trading
opportunities with the countries of our region.
Unfortunately,
we have not made visible progress on none of these areas yet.
In order to
address these matters, we propose to jointly develop a Comprehensive Support
Program for the exporting and importing companies of our countries.
In
addition, an early finalization of the Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation
Agreement between Uzbekistan and the European Union will contribute to
achieving this objective.
Second, the
formation of interlinked transport corridors as a key factor for sustainable
economic growth.
It is
important to combine the efforts of our countries for the development of
transport and communication connectivity between Central Asia and Europe,
primarily through the formation of the so-called Middle Corridor - the
Trans-Caspian Transit Corridor.
Notably,
this project was thoroughly analyzed at the recent meeting of the EBRD's Board
of Governors in Samarkand.
Unfortunately,
the main problem remains unresolved, which is the lack of coordinated approach
to improve the competitiveness of this route.
Today, we
need tariffs beneficial for businesses, which generates the main volume of
cargo traffic.
According
to analysis, the current tariffs and charges on this route are 1.5 times higher
than, for example, on the North-South routes.
Not less
important are the issues of developing transport, logistics and port
infrastructure in line with the estimated growth in cargo traffic, as well as
the improvement of the technical condition of the roads.
In this
regard, we believe it would be proper to create an effective mechanism for
using the potential of the Trans-Caspian Corridor. This means regular meetings
of executives from our countries' transport agencies.
I would
also like to note the importance of studies conducted by European partners on
the formation of sustainable transport corridors between Europe and Central
Asia.
Third,
innovative and technological partnership.
I have
already provided some details about our capacities and common plans.
I believe
it is time to consider holding annual industrial-technological exhibitions as
part of the "Central Asia-European Union" Economic Forum.
Given the
current realities, we are interested in launching, together with the European
Investment Bank, special tools of financial support for relocation of
capacities of leading European companies to our countries.
We reaffirm
our readiness to create all necessary conditions for the operation of the
Bank's regional office in Uzbekistan.
Fourth, we
count on close partnership with the European Union in digital connectivity.
According
to studies by the World Bank, further expansion of high-speed Internet access
will lead to a proportional increase in GDP and exports of our countries.
We support
the "Team Europe" initiative and propose to develop a joint
Digital Agenda for Central Asia.
Fifth,
addressing climate-related challenges. This is mainly about improving the
sustainability of ecosystems through targeted regional projects using advanced
European knowledge and technologies.
In
addition, today green energy is an actively developing sector in Uzbekistan.
By 2030, we
intend to increase the power generation capacity of renewable energy to 25,000
megawatts, increasing its share from the current 14% to 40%.
Today, my
colleagues have elaborated on environmental issues.
Given the
urgency of the problem, we invite the European Union to co-host the First
International Climate Forum to be held this autumn as a part of the Samarkand
Solidarity Initiative for Common Security and Prosperity.
We are also
interested in the active involvement of our partners in a project to establish
the Central Asian University of Environmental Studies and Climate Change.
Sixth, the
development of tourism. It is noteworthy that this industry is recovering
rapidly from the pandemic and showing consistently high growth rates.
Nevertheless,
Central Asia's enormous tourism potential is far from being fully exploited.
We propose
to jointly develop a Program for Promotion of Sustainable Tourism in Central
Asia and present it at the anniversary session of the General Assembly of World
Tourism Organization, to be held in Uzbekistan in October this year.
This
program will cover:
- specific
projects for modernization of infrastructure and reconstruction of historical
heritage sites,
- expansion
of geography and frequency of flights;
-
development of joint tourism products, and simplification of visa procedures.
Seventh,
investment in youth education.
The
branches of seven European universities are successfully operating in
Uzbekistan. However, this is not enough.
We are
planning to establish partnerships with leading universities of the EU
countries in near future and introduce joint educational programs, primarily in
technical specialties.
We are also
in favor of resuming regular meetings of education ministers and university
rectors in our format.
We propose
to consider the possibility of expanding support for research and educational
projects for Central Asian region as a part of the Horizon Europe Program.
Dear
colleagues!
The key
area of our interaction is to strengthen cooperation against new challenges and
threats to security.
Today, we
are effectively implementing joint programs on border security, countering drug
trafficking and terrorism.
In recent
years, more than two hundred regional events were held. With the assistance of
European partners, thousands of highly qualified specialists have been trained,
border checkpoints have been modernized,
We believe
it is necessary to develop new partnership programs in combating extremism and
radicalism, human trafficking, organized and cybercrime, as well as border
security.
To this
end, we propose to hold an expert-level conference "Central Asia- European
Union: a New Agenda for Security Cooperation".
The Afghan
problem is at our focus. Unfortunately, the humanitarian situation in
Afghanistan is deteriorating rapidly.
According
to the United Nations, currently millions of Afghans are on the brink of
survival.
In this
regard, we urge our partners not to reduce the volume of humanitarian
assistance to the Afghan people. We are ready to continue to provide for these
purposes the use of logistics hub in Termez.
We propose
to continue regular consultations of our special representatives to develop common
approaches to address topical issues of resolving the situation in Afghanistan
and its peaceful development.
Dear
heads of delegations!
Today, my
colleagues have put forward important initiatives aimed at deepening practical
cooperation between Central Asia and the European Union.
I believe
it is of vital importance that each proposal be carefully studied by our
experts. In this regard, I believe it would be expedient to develop and adopt a
separate Road Map to capitalize on our meeting.
I also
support the proposal to make our contacts regular.
I am
grateful for the support of our initiative to hold the first summit in this
format in Uzbekistan next year.
I am
convinced that the outcomes of this meeting will serve as an additional impetus
for strengthening the relations of friendship and partnership between our
countries, will contribute to ensuring peace and stability, sustainable
development and prosperity in the region.
Thank
you for attention.