Uzbekistan has set priorities for cooperation with the EAEU as an observer country

Uzbekistan's foreign policy is developing on the basis of deeply thought-out mutually beneficial and strong relations. At the same time, the priority is to strive to increase the country's place and role as an equal subject of international relations, to join a number of developed democratic states, to form an atmosphere of security, stability and good-neighborliness with neighboring states.

More than four years ago, deputies of the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan approved Uzbekistan's cooperation with the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) as an observer. This showed that the issues of expanding international economic cooperation and integration into the world market, including the EAEU, remain important for Uzbekistan. Thus, for an in-depth and scientifically based study of the prospects for interaction, the lower house of parliament created and heard a working group aimed at analyzing and summarizing all opinions and proposals on this issue. 
Over the past time, Uzbekistan's obtaining observer status in the EAEU has allowed it to establish a dialogue with partners and members of the union. This provided an opportunity to learn more about the mechanisms of functioning of the EAEU and how Uzbek goods will be able to enter the markets of the union and third countries.
Over the past few years, the situation in the Uzbek economy has changed significantly, and further development of the country requires increasing supplies abroad and expanding export opportunities. Therefore, the issue of Uzbekistan's cooperation as an observer of the EAEU remains on today's agenda. About 80 percent of foreign trade goods are transported in transit through Russia, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan. And 50 percent of exports of finished products (in some positions - over 80) are accounted for by these countries. 
The observer status made it possible for authorized representatives of Uzbekistan to attend meetings of the Union's bodies and receive documents that are not confidential. However, this does not give the right to participate in decision-making. A State that has received observer status in the EAEU sends its permanent representative to the location of the Eurasian Economic Commission. This person has the right to maintain regular contacts with the commission and its bodies on behalf of the observer country.
The Permanent Representative of Uzbekistan promotes the establishment and maintenance of regular contacts with the relevant bodies of the observer State on the development of trade and economic cooperation, regulation of technical, customs, sanitary and phytosanitary rules, as well as other issues within the competence of the commission, contributes to strengthening dialogue and cooperation in all areas.  
The observer status made it possible to study the mechanism and procedures for resolving disputes between member States by the Court of the Eurasian Economic Union. It should be noted separately that Uzbekistan's receipt of this status does not oblige our state to become a member of the EAEU. At the same time, observer status provides an opportunity to more accurately assess the advantages and disadvantages of accession, strengthen dialogue with Member States and, as a result, make informed decisions. 
Among the recent events, we highlight the participation of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev on May 8 this year in Moscow at the anniversary meeting of the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council as the head of the observer state. Topical issues of further expansion of multilateral trade and economic cooperation, support for industrial cooperation projects, and implementation of joint programs in priority areas of interaction were considered.
Speaking about Uzbekistan's cooperation with the EAEU in observer status, we will highlight the growth in the volume of mutual trade, primarily due to an increase in the supply of industrial products. Uzbekistan has joined industry projects and programs in the field of digitalization of trade and cargo transportation, in the field of e-commerce, and the climate agenda. 
Today, Uzbekistan has launched the procedure for joining the Rules for Determining the Country of Origin of Goods from 2009. At the same time, the share of settlements in national currencies is increasing. Over a thousand joint ventures and projects have been launched. Cargo transportation volumes are growing, and the frequency of regular flights has doubled. In the current realities, the support and stimulation of trade and economic ties between our countries, the promotion of cooperation projects and the creation of conditions for the growth of mutual investments are of paramount importance. As an example of such cooperation, the Innoprom International Industrial Exhibition, which has become a tradition, was successfully held recently in Tashkent. 
The forum held in Moscow served as an effective platform for the development of Uzbekistan's business dialogue with Russia and other states of the Eurasian Economic Union. In this regard, it is important to expand the site by attracting more companies, including from other partner countries, including Cuba, Iran, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, Mongolia, Vietnam and Indonesia. 
Among the priorities of mutually beneficial cooperation with the EAEU, it is possible to highlight the expansion of practical cooperation and the intensification of participation in the implementation of multilateral projects of sectoral cooperation within the framework of strategic development directions. Uzbekistan continues to advocate for the mutual elimination of barriers and restrictions in trade with the EAEU countries. 
We note the importance of continuing a close dialogue on the development of the North-South transport corridor with access to the markets of South and Southeast Asia and the Middle East. Promising areas of work include support for industrial cooperation projects and localization programs for the production of high-demand products, the placement of new capacities in industrial zones and technoparks jointly created in the regions of the states. There are possibilities of using a special mechanism to promote industrial cooperation programs within the framework of the association.
Acts of Khaits,
Deputy Speaker of the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan.