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