Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — On 26 December, the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, participated as an observer in the meeting of the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council in St. Petersburg.

The meeting was chaired by Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan in an online format. The event was attended by the Presidents of Belarus, Alexander Lukashenko; Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev; Kyrgyzstan, Sadyr Japarov; and Russia, Vladimir Putin, as well as the Minister of Industry, Mines, and Trade of Iran, a country-observer at the EAEU, Seyed Mohammad Atabak. The President of Cuba, Miguel Díaz-Canel, addressed the participants via a video message.

The main focus of the meeting was on the development of multilateral trade and economic cooperation, supporting industrial cooperation, and the implementation of joint programs on key areas of interaction.

In his speech, Shavkat Mirziyoyev emphasized that Uzbekistan has established fruitful cooperation with the Eurasian Economic Union in 22 areas in recent years, while maintaining its observer status.

He noted that in 2024, Uzbekistan’s trade turnover with EAEU member states increased by 11%. In October, a new three-year Cooperation Plan with the Eurasian Economic Commission was adopted, which includes around 40 activities in areas such as trade, industry, the financial sector, agriculture, transportation, and others.

Uzbekistan is also actively involved in EAEU sectoral programs related to the digitalization of trade and freight transportation, the development of e-commerce, and combating climate change. The fourth meeting of the Joint Working Group is scheduled for March next year.

The President specifically highlighted the key priorities of cooperation with the EAEU. He called for the gradual removal of trade barriers and proposed that experts consider the possibility of eliminating tariff and non-tariff restrictions in trade relations between Uzbekistan and the Union countries.

He also suggested holding consultations on aligning technical regulation systems and developing a Plan of Practical Actions.

The President expressed Uzbekistan’s interest in signing an agreement on a single customs transit system and the prompt implementation of electronic data exchange on goods and vehicles at customs borders.

Shavkat Mirziyoyev confirmed Uzbekistan’s readiness to join mechanisms that support industrial cooperation and localization programs. He also mentioned that in early next year, Uzbekistan would complete the procedures for joining the Eurasian Development Bank to ensure reliable financial sources for the implementation of joint projects.

To boost business relations, the President proposed holding the EAEU Business Council meeting in Tashkent in April 2025.

Special attention was given to cooperation in digital technologies and artificial intelligence. The President of Uzbekistan proposed joining the Integrated Information System of the EAEU and the “Digital Union” project.

In the agricultural sector, Shavkat Mirziyoyev put forward an initiative to develop a cooperation program aimed at simplifying mutual access for agricultural products, implementing innovative agri-industrial projects, and introducing scientific developments.

To stimulate tourism exchanges, the President expressed Uzbekistan’s readiness to introduce a procedure allowing citizens of EAEU countries to enter Uzbekistan with internal documents.