Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- The Ministry of Investment, Industry and Trade held talks with members of the European Parliament to discuss the prospects for developing trade and economic cooperation between Uzbekistan and the EU.

“The European Parliament positively assesses the structural reforms carried out under the leadership of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev, which are aimed at transforming the economy to a diversified market model,” said MEP Thierry Mariani.

During the negotiations, measures were considered to extend the status of the beneficiary of the GSP + system for our country for a new cycle, calculated for the period from 2024 to 2034. The EU delegation noted that Uzbekistan has ratified the necessary conventions and has every reason to extend the status of the beneficiary of this system.

The parties discussed the progress of Uzbekistan’s entry into the World Trade Organization. The representatives of the European Parliament expressed the commitment of the EU leadership to continue close cooperation and provide consulting and technical assistance in this process.

The completion of negotiations and the initialing of the draft Agreement on Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation between Uzbekistan and the EU, which will be signed after completion of internal procedures, including legal expertise and translation of this document into the official languages of the parties, was noted with satisfaction.

An exchange of views took place on the issues of holding bilateral events and exchange of experience. Mutual opinion was expressed on the advisability of organizing the next meeting of the Uzbekistan-EU Subcommittee on Trade and Investment in June this year in Brussels, as well as on continuing the practice of holding regular consultations at the level of experts to improve the efficiency of management in the economy.

As a result of the meeting, common approaches were agreed and further joint measures were developed as part of the implementation of the discussed areas of cooperation.