Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- Today, the Republic of Uzbekistan, in the status of an observer state, is actively working to create favorable conditions for establishing a mutually beneficial partnership with the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU). This was stated on Friday by the Prime Minister of Uzbekistan Abdulla Aripov during the plenary meeting of the Eurasian Intergovernmental Council in an expanded format, TASS reports.

“We are committed to strengthening and expanding trade and economic ties with all countries of the association, which are among our main trading partners. It is noteworthy that, despite the global crisis, by joint efforts we manage to adapt cooperation to difficult conditions and find new points of economic growth. Thanks to mutual support, according to the results of last year, Uzbekistan’s foreign trade turnover with the EAEU countries increased by 33% and amounted to US$17 billion,” A. Aripov said. According to him, more than 1,000 joint enterprises with the countries of the union have been created in Uzbekistan recently, and systematic interaction with the Eurasian Economic Commission continues.

According to the head of the Uzbek government, it is necessary to continue the elimination of still existing trade barriers, to ensure the accelerated implementation of cross-border procedures, to use competitive advantages and complementary factors of the economies of the EAEU member countries.

According to  Aripov, preparatory work has been completed to ensure the harmonization of national technical regulations and norms.

“We consider the conclusion of an agreement on the recognition of certification results to be a logical outcome on the way to simplify the mutual access of goods to our markets, we count on the support of all countries of the association,” the prime minister said.

Abdulla Aripov said that another priority area of cooperation between Uzbekistan and the EAEU countries is the expansion of mutually beneficial cooperation in the field of road, rail and air transportation.

“Today, more than ever, the simplification and digitalization of transportation, the development of new logistics chains are becoming relevant,” he stressed. He believes that joint efforts are needed to develop transport and communication interconnectedness, create new alternative corridors for entering the markets of South Asia.