EU–Uzbekistan Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement

The European Parliament adopted by 493 votes to 104, with 45 abstentions, a legislative resolution on the draft Council decision relating to the conclusion, on behalf of the Union, of the Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (EPA) between the European Union and its Member States, of the one part, and the Republic of Uzbekistan, of the other part.

Parliament gave its consent to the conclusion of the agreement.

The agreement represents an important step towards increased political and economic engagement by the Union in Central Asia. By strengthening political dialogue and improving cooperation across a wide range of areas, it will serve as the basis for a more effective bilateral relationship with the Republic of Uzbekistan.

This agreement establishes an enhanced partnership and cooperation between the Parties, based on shared values, on common interests and on the ambition to strengthen their relationship in all areas of its application, to their mutual benefit. This partnership and cooperation is a process between the Parties that contributes to sustainable development, peace, stability and security, through increased convergence on foreign and security policy, effective political and economic cooperation and multilateralism.

The EPCA covers the EU’s standard clauses on human rights, the International Criminal Court (ICC), Weapons of Mass Destructions (WMD), Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW), and counter-terrorism. It also encompasses cooperation in areas such as health, environment, climate change, energy, tax, education and culture, labour, employment and social affairs, science and technology, and transport.

The agreement also addresses legal cooperation, the rule of law, money laundering and terrorist financing, organised crime and corruption. The trade component of the agreement should ensure a better regulatory environment for economic operators and thus bring substantial economic benefits to EU companies.

At the same time, Parliament adopted a non-legislative resolution on the conclusion of the EU-Uzbekistan enhanced partnership and cooperation agreement.