Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- On 16 January, President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev received a delegation of the European Union led by Vice-President of the European Commission Margaritis Schinas.

At the beginning of the conversation, the high representative of the European Union, sincerely congratulating him on the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the EU and Uzbekistan, conveyed warm greetings and best wishes to the leader of our state from the head of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen and the President of the European Council Charles Michel.

Issues of further expansion of the multifaceted partnership with the EU were considered.

The noticeable intensification of cooperation in recent years was noted with satisfaction. The visit of the President of the European Council Charles Michel to Uzbekistan, two meetings of the heads of state of Central Asia and the European Union, and the Samarkand Conference on Interconnectivity were successfully held.

A joint road map to deepen ties between the EU and Central Asia is being implemented. Work is underway to organize the first “Central Asia – EU” summit in Uzbekistan.

At the end of January, a major Investor Forum will be held in Brussels, aimed at strengthening transport and communications connectivity between the two regions.

The volume of mutual trade between Uzbekistan and EU countries is growing dynamically, which increased by 30 percent last year.

Major investment projects are being implemented in high-tech sectors of the economy with the participation of leading European companies. The validity period of EU trade preferences for Uzbekistan has been extended.

An exchange of views also took place on current regional issues, in particular on the provision of humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan.