About: Uzbekistan

Tashkent conference: Connectivity and the need for a stable Afghanistan

EURACTIV republishes the latest blogpost by EU Foreign Affairs Chief Josep Borrell who takes stock from his participation to the Central-South Asia Connectivity Conference held in Tashkent, the capital of Uzbekistan, on 15-16 July.

Afghanistan to feature high in Uzbekistan high-level connectivity conference

The high-level meeting next week in Uzbekistan’s capital Tashkent to discuss connectivity is a stability dividend and a timely opportunity to convince countries that the international community is not abandoning the region following US withdrawal from Afghanistan, stakeholders told a...

Central Asia-South Asia Connectivity Summit – Why it matters in the region and beyond

An international connectivity summit named "Central and South Asia: Regional Connectivity. Challenges and Opportunities" will take place in Tashkent from July 15-16 as an initiative of the President of Uzbekistan, a double land-locked country.

Tajikistan calls up reservists to bolster border as Afghan troops flee Taliban

Tajikistan's president on Monday (5 July) ordered the mobilisation of 20,000 military reservists to bolster the border with Afghanistan after more than 1,000 Afghan security personnel fled across the frontier in response to Taliban militant advances.

CAP impact: voices from beyond EU borders

From competition with local products to the recent focus on agriculture sustainability, the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) carries a lot of clout on the EU’s neighbours and trade partners. In this video reportage, EURACTIV asked agriculture stakeholders and representatives from...

Analyst: Central Asian ‘patient’ is ready for deeper cooperation

Even though unresolved border disputes stand in the way of further economic integration of Central Asia, this vast region is ready to deepen ties, according to Askar Nursha.

Why is Uzbekistan relevant for the European Union?

Uzbekistan has been through significant policy changes over the past five years. Under the leadership of Shavkat Mirziyoyev, the country has moved from an isolated dictatorship into a young democracy, writes Vita Kobiela.

From Europe to Central Asia, converted containers are trendy

Pop-up stores and restaurants using converted shipping containers are a growing trend in Europe and across the world, apparently boosted by behavioural changes caused by the Covid pandemic. EURACTIV Bulgaria reports.

Central Asia is an obvious winner of better EU-China ties

Investment and better regional connectivity as well as an improved links with Europe may be a lifeline for the struggling Central Asian economies, writes Joel Ruet.

EU, Central Asia touch base virtually in turbulent times

EU chief diplomat Josep Borrell and Commissioner for International Partnerships Jutta Urpilainen held a teleconference on Tuesday (17 November) with ministers from the five former Soviet republics of Central Asia, with which the EU is trying to forge closer relations.

Uzbekistan pushes back against Russian criticism over language policy

Uzbekistan on Monday (18 May) pushed back against Russian criticism of its plans to enforce the use of the Uzbek language in the civil service, in a rare rebuke of Moscow by Tashkent amid otherwise warm ties.

Uzbekistan to become observer in Russia-led Eurasian Economic Union

Uzbekistan will become an observer in the Russia-led Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) before deciding if it wants to become a full member of the trade bloc, the Tashkent government said on Saturday (7 March).

Uzbekistan resists as US seeks to rally Central Asians against China

Uzbekistan on Monday (3 February) gently resisted Washington’s efforts to rally China’s central Asian neighbors against Beijing over its treatment of Muslim minorities, a contentious issue for the region which has close economic ties to China.

Germany launches ‘Green Central Asia’ initiative

A high-level ministerial conference in Berlin launched on Tuesday (28 January) the ‘Green Central Asia’ initiative, intended to support regional integration between the five Central Asian countries and Afghanistan. German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas, who hosted the conference, stressed that...

Uzbekistan is open for ‘conscientious foreign investors’, seeks ‘honesty vaccine’

The president of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, addressed the newly formed parliament on Friday (24 January), laying out his plans for the next five years. The banking sector, fighting corruption, foreign direct investment, poverty reduction and international trade were at the...

Uzbekistan holds first legislative polls under pro-reform leader

Uzbekistan votes Sunday (22 December) in the former Soviet republic's first parliamentary elections since a new leader ushered in an era of reform after years of isolation and stagnation, yet voters' choices remain highly restricted.

Central Asia leaders meet again in sign of increased regional cooperation

A five-way summit hosted by Uzbekistan’s President Shavket Mirziyoyev took place in the Kuksaroy Palace in Tashkent, the country's capital, on Friday (29 November). The second meeting of Central Asia leaders in as many years focused on geopolitics and stability, but also on environmental concerns.

EU-sponsored Nur-Sultan conference ‘happily coincides’ with Central Asia summit

A two-day conference on “Enhanced integration and Prosperity in Central Asia” opened in Kazakhstan's capital Nur-Sultan on Thursday (28 November). Incidentally, it coincided with a summit of the leaders of the five Central Asian countries on Friday in Tashkent, the capital of neighbouring Uzbekistan.

Clothing imports to the EU: Achieving sustainability & transparency in the supply chain

The EU’s retail clothing sector sources textiles and clothes from all over the world. In addition to sourcing at the most competitive rates, they must also consider how industries, such as cotton production, are regulated in different countries, both in terms of the environment and international labour standards.

‘Almost impossible’ to rival China’s business clout in Central Asia

“China is coming with an offer nobody can refuse, while the EU is coming with an offer nobody can understand." For many in Central Asia, that phrase – although intended as a joke – best summarises the European way of doing business.

East-West corridor: ‘Hard’ versus ‘soft’ connectivity?

A conference organised by EURACTIV on ‘Global Eurasia – connectivity as a driver for peace, stability and security’ raised questions such as “greener” connectivity, in line with Commission President-elect Ursula von der Leyen’s priorities. But diplomats from the region were more focused on infrastructure.