BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 21. The European Union (EU) will disburse grants worth 30 million euros to Uzbekistan’s agriculture sector between 2024 and 2027, the European Commission’s lead spokesperson for foreign affairs and security policy, Peter Stano told Trend.
“In addition to the 30 million euros of grants to be disbursed between 2024 and 2027, the EU has already supported the reform with a budget of 32.5 million euros for the agricultural sector in Uzbekistan between 2020 and 2023,” he said.
According to him, support for the transition to a modern agri-food system has been one of the most crucial sectors of EU cooperation with Uzbekistan since its start. The European Union is the main provider of grant funding to the agri-food sector in Uzbekistan. Through the funding, the EU provides support for reforms that enable Uzbekistan’s farmers to prosper, adapt to a changing climate, protect the environment, produce healthy food, and become part of local and global value chains.
Peter Stano also stressed that the EU and Uzbekistan are currently preparing a new Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (EPCA) for signature and entry into force.
"The EPCA will provide a new, modern, and ambitious framework to step up the EU-Uzbekistan partnership, promoting cooperation and regulatory convergence in areas that are relevant to the reform processes underway in the country. The agreement covers areas such as political dialogue and reforms, the rule of law, justice, freedom and security, human rights, migration, trade, as well as economic and sustainable development," he emphasized.
The representative of the EC noted that the agreement will promote a favorable business and investment environment in Uzbekistan. It also foresees closer cooperation on foreign policy issues and global challenges such as climate change, corruption, and the fight against terrorism.
Earlier, the EU and Uzbekistan signed a memorandum of understanding on the development of a strategic partnership for the promotion of sustainable value chains in the field of critical raw materials.
The agreement will help to ensure a diversified and sustainable supply of critical raw materials for the green and digital transition in both the EU and Uzbekistan.
