Round Table Discussion: «Modern trends and perspectives of the EU – Uzbekistan economic cooperation»

THE PROGRAMME

of the International Round Table Discussion:

«Modern trends and perspectives of the EU – Uzbekistan economic cooperation»

 

Date: December 15, 2021

Time: 14:30 – 17:00

Venue: MGIMO Tashkent branch building, Conference hall 109

Format: blended (in person and online)

Working languages: English and Russian

 

In recent years, Uzbekistan has been implementing large-scale reforms aimed at liberalizing the economy and deepening the country’s integration into the world economy. The Republic of Uzbekistan pursues an open, mutually beneficial and constructive foreign policy based on the national interests of the country. The priorities of Uzbekistan’s foreign policy include the development of mutually beneficial cooperation with the EU and its member states. The key areas of cooperation with European countries are the development of trade, investment and financial cooperation, the transfer of high technologies, collaboration in science, technology, education, environment preservation, health and culture, as well as strengthening regional security. For Uzbekistan, the European Union is an important source of advanced technologies, innovations and investments. Uzbekistan, in turn, is one of the suppliers of textile goods, chemical products, agricultural goods, fuel and other goods to the capacious European market. However, the potential of trade and investment cooperation between Uzbekistan and the EU is far from being fully harnessed.

Recently, there have been observed positive trends in the development of cooperation between Uzbekistan and the EU in a wide range of areas. Uzbekistan has been granted the status of a beneficiary of the Generalized Scheme of Preferences plus (the GSP+), which allows duty-free export of more than 6,000 items of goods to EU countries.  The EU provides technical support in the process of Uzbekistan’s accession to the WTO. In order to enhance mutually beneficial cooperation between Uzbekistan and the EU, negotiations are underway to conclude a comprehensive bilateral Agreement on expanded partnership and cooperation, which will replace the partnership and cooperation agreement in force since 1999.

Further strengthening of trade and economic ties with the EU is becoming one of the important factors of modernization and increasing the competitiveness of Uzbekistan’s economy, creating new jobs and increasing the welfare of the population. The participants of the panel discussion will discuss contemporary trends in the development of trade and investment cooperation between Uzbekistan and the EU member states, issues related to mutual connectivity, energy and prospects for expanding mutually beneficial partnership within the priorities outlined in the new EU strategy for Central Asia. During the discussions, issues of consistent development of trade between the EU and Uzbekistan, attracting investments from EU countries into the real sector of the economy and infrastructure development, expanding cooperation in education, science, innovations, agriculture, tourism, environment preservation and sustainable development will be considered.

 

15th December, Wednesday

14:15 – Invitation of participants to the beginning of the event

Opening Speech

Ms. Gulnoza Ismailova

Professor, Vice-Rector of  the University of World Economy and Diplomacy, Head of TashCoE, DSc in law

14:30 – Welcoming remarks

Ms. Charlotte Adriaen

Head of the Delegation of the European Union to the Republic of Uzbekistan

Mr. Badriddin Abidov

Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Investments and Foreign Trade of the  Republic of Uzbekistan (online)

Ms. Aziza Abdurakhmanova

Coordinator of the National Erasmus+ Office in Uzbekistan

Mavlanov Ibragim Rajabovich (moderator)

Professor of the International  Finance and Investments Department, University of World Economy and Diplomacy,  DSc in economics

15:00 – Mr. Andris Spruds (Latvia)

Director of Latvian Institute of International Affairs (LIIA)

Dr.sc.pol., Professor, Dean of the Faculty of European Studies at Riga  Stradins University  (online)

15:10 – Mr. Isajanov Abduvali Abdurahimocich

Professor of Islamic  Economy and Finances, Pilgrimage Tourism Department, International Islamic Academy  of Uzbekistan, DSc in economics

15:20 – Ms. Fabienne Bossuyt (Belgium)

Assistant Professor at the Centre for EU Studies, Ghent University in  Belgium, PhD in Political  Sciences (online)

15:30 – Ms. Tashpulatova Laylo Maratovna

Head of Economic Theory Department, University of World Economy and Diplomacy, PhD in economics

15:40 – Ms. Munira Aminova (Belgium)

Professor in  Business and Economics at the Brussels School of Governance, PhD in Political  Sciences (online)

15:50 – Ms. Jurayeva Rano  Abdullayevna

Associate Professor of  Economic Theory Department, University of World Economy and Diplomacy, PhD in  economics

16:00 – Ms. Ekaterina Tsaranok  (Belgium)

Director of the Modern  Education & Research Institute, Belgium

16:10 – Ms. Muradova Lyudmila  Fathiddinovna

Associate Professor of Banking  Department, Tashkent State University of Economics, PhD in economics

16:20 – Mr. Malikov Numonjon Kamalovich

Lecturer of International Finance and Investments Department, University of  World Economy and Diplomacy

16:30 – Debates and discussions

16:50 – Summary of the conference, closing remarks

Ms. Gulnoza Ismailova

Professor, Vice-Rector of  the University of World Economy and Diplomacy, Head of TashCoE, DSc in law