BUDAPEST, October 27. /Dunyo IA/. Alpár Kató, Representative of the Daily News Hungary (Hungary), shared his views with Dunyo AA on the outcomes of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev’s visit to Brussels and the significance of the Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement signed between Uzbekistan and the European Union:

"The visit to Brussels marked a pivotal moment. It concluded with the signing of the Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (EPCA), a comprehensive document that will shape Uzbekistan’s relations with the European Union for the coming decade.

The signing of the agreement is not merely a diplomatic event; it represents the formal recognition of Uzbekistan as one of Europe’s strategic partners in Central Asia, a region of growing significance for global trade, connectivity, and energy diversification.

The EPCA reflects a joint commitment to strengthening political dialogue and democratic governance, facilitating the free movement of trade and investment, supporting digital transformation and the green transition, deepening cooperation in security—including combating terrorism and organized crime—and developing sustainable transport and energy links between Central Asia and Europe. Furthermore, the agreement introduces mutual recognition mechanisms and creates a more transparent and secure environment for European companies investing in Uzbekistan.

In turn, the agreement opens the EU market of 450 million consumers to a wide range of Uzbek products—from textiles and chemicals to agricultural, food, and industrial goods.

The EPCA will serve as a cornerstone for economic modernization and a new level of interconnection. It aligns Uzbekistan’s regulations and standards with those of the EU, gradually integrating the country into the European economic space.

Practically, this means simplifying trade rules and implementing digital customs systems in line with EU standards; accessing EU financial instruments for infrastructure, renewable energy, and private sector innovation under the "Global Gateway" initiative; expanding joint research and educational programs that facilitate Uzbekistan’s participation in Erasmus+ and Horizon Europe; and fostering cooperation in vocational training, green technologies, and critical raw materials. It also supports the EU’s energy transition and Uzbekistan’s industrial modernization.

In the long term, Brussels and Tashkent aim to establish a "Central Asia–EU" corridor linking Uzbekistan’s transport and logistics networks to European supply chains via the "Middle Corridor and Caspian routes". This will enable faster, greener, and more cost-efficient trade between the two regions.

The reforms underway in Uzbekistan have attracted growing European investment, particularly from Germany, the Netherlands, Italy, and Belgium. The EPCA will help expand such projects by providing enhanced legal protection and access to EU credit guarantees.

New cooperation is expected in sectors such as renewable energy, smart agriculture, food processing for EU markets, the digital economy, pharmaceuticals, and life sciences.

For European investors, Uzbekistan offers a young and educated workforce, tax incentives, and a rapidly growing domestic market of nearly 38 million consumers.

For the EU, deepening cooperation with Uzbekistan strengthens its strategic position in Central Asia, reduces dependence on other global suppliers, and ensures reliable partners in energy, transport, and critical raw materials.

For Uzbekistan, the agreement accelerates the transition to a modern, export-oriented economy integrated into global markets. It enables the country to expand non-resource exports in textiles, machinery, and the food industry; adopt advanced European technologies and digital tools; participate in regional energy and climate initiatives; and strengthen institutional capacity in governance, law, and environmental management.

Hungary has long served as a bridge between the European Union and Central Asia, and the new Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (EPCA) signed between the EU and Uzbekistan is expected to strengthen this role. Budapest views Uzbekistan as a reliable and dynamic partner in the framework of the Organization of Turkic States and the EU–Central Asia broader dialogue, consistently supporting the country’s reform agenda and regional integration efforts.

The EPCA opens new economic opportunities for Hungarian companies in sectors such as energy, agriculture, pharmaceuticals, and water management. With strengthened investment protection, simplified customs procedures, and access to EU funds through the "Global Gateway" initiative, Hungarian firms can participate in large-scale "green" energy, infrastructure, and digitalization projects in Uzbekistan.

The agreement also holds strategic significance for Hungary. It supports the country’s efforts to diversify energy routes, expand exports, and strengthen connections along the "Middle Corridor" linking Europe with Central Asia. By deepening cooperation with Uzbekistan within the EU framework, Hungary can enhance both its economic engagement and diplomatic influence in a region vital for Europe’s long-term stability and sustainable development.