BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 7. The Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (EPCA) represents a major upgrade in relations between the European Union and Uzbekistan, Ambassador of the European Union to Uzbekistan Toivo Klaar told Trend.
"Politically, the EPCA deepens dialogue on governance, the rule of law, and human rights, clearly signalling the EU’s support for Uzbekistan’s ongoing reform agenda," he said.
According to the ambassador, the agreement also carries important social implications, fostering stronger people-to-people ties and encouraging further reforms. It helps civil society and media freedom grow, as well as exchanges between youth, cultures, and academics. It also helps people work together on migration problems.
"The EPCA opens up a lot of economic possibilities. By simplifying trade procedures, reducing technical barriers, and providing greater regulatory certainty, it creates a solid foundation for increasing Uzbek exports to Europe and attracting European investment to Uzbekistan," Klaar noted.
He added that the agreement also advances cooperation in critical raw materials and the green economy, aligning with the EU’s strategic priorities and helping channel investment into infrastructure and connectivity projects under the EU’s Global Gateway strategy.
"I would like to highlight the comprehensive nature of this agreement, which is typical for the EU. The EPCA's key chapters are political dialogue, security, trade and investment, environmental sustainability, digital transformation, and social cooperation. These chapters are meant to support each other," he said.
Klaar emphasized that improved market access and increased EU investment depend on credible reforms in areas such as justice, anti-corruption, and regulatory quality. He noted that working together on immigration and border control is closely tied to overall security and foreign policy. According to Klaar, getting EU money for green and digital projects is based on promises to be open about standards and international norms.
He asserted that the EU and Uzbekistan have reached a consensus over the need of fulfilling all bilateral obligations in a balanced and mutually beneficial manner in order for concrete benefits to become a reality.