By Rushana Aliakbarova
Published on •Updated
Uzbekistan continues to solidify its place on the global stage as a reliable partner and dynamic hub in Central Asia, welcoming high-level delegations from Europe in a series of landmark diplomatic meetings.
The diplomatic momentum culminated on Tuesday at the official opening of the Tashkent International Investment Forum, where Slovakia’s Prime Minister Robert Fico and President of Bulgaria Rumen Radev joined dozens of other foreign officials and international investors.
In his keynote remarks, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev emphasized the forum’s critical role in transforming Uzbekistan’s economy and global standing.
“Last year, the volume of investments into our national economy reached $35 billion (€30 billion), and exports amounted to $27 billion (€23 billion). This is also a practical result of the Tashkent International Investment Forum, now being held for the fourth consecutive year,” he said.
This year’s forum reflects Uzbekistan’s renewed confidence and strategic ambition to become a hub for international investment, innovation and sustainable development.
With legal reforms, market liberalisation and an investor-friendly climate, Uzbekistan is positioning itself as one of the most attractive emerging markets in the Eurasian region.
The first Uzbek-Bulgarian summit in 17 years was described by President Mirziyoyev as “historic.”
The warm reception of President Rumen Radev was more than symbolic, it also heralded a new chapter in relations driven by economic ambition and cultural proximity.
The talks focused on practical cooperation, from textile and pharmaceutical exports to artificial intelligence, IT technologies and tourism.
The two countries pledged to open trade houses in Tashkent and Sofia and to facilitate bilateral trade through preferential credit lines and laboratory accreditation.
Twinning initiatives have already borne fruit, linking ancient cities like Bukhara and Varna, Samarkand and Plovdiv. These people-to-people connections are seen as key to deeper regional understanding.
New projects
A roadmap was adopted to ensure follow-through on new projects and both sides agreed to strengthen educational and scientific exchanges.
The upcoming meeting of university rectors in Andijan and a planned week of Uzbek-Bulgarian cinema and culture are expected to further enhance mutual understanding.
Importantly, Bulgaria expressed readiness to cooperate in the sphere of labour migration, with discussions underway to open a representative office of Uzbekistan’s Agency of Migration in Sofia.
President Radev concluded his visit by inviting President Mirziyoyev to Bulgaria, signalling a commitment to long-term engagement at the highest level.
On 9 June, the President of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, hosted the Prime Minister of Slovakia, Robert Fico, at the presidential residence in Tashkent, marking a major step forward in Uzbek-Slovak relations.
Fico’s visit was marked by the signing of a joint declaration on the establishment of strategic partnership relations, a clear signal of the new momentum in bilateral cooperation.
The leaders reviewed a broad spectrum of initiatives spanning trade, technology, energy and education.
President Shavkat Mirziyoyev highlighted the visit as “a qualitatively new stage” in relations between Uzbekistan and Slovakia, with recent developments including the fruitful first meeting of the Intergovernmental Commission and expanding business exchanges.
In the face of global uncertainty, both sides stressed the value of coordinated foreign policy efforts and deeper alignment with European institutions.
The two leaders outlined an ambitious Industrial Cooperation Program involving Slovak companies in key sectors such as automotive localization, green energy, pharmaceuticals and tourism.
The talks also included forward-looking digital initiatives, from joint start-up investment funds to the creation of a quantum standard laboratory, reflecting Uzbekistan’s commitment to technological innovation.
Agreements signed during the visit include cooperation on diplomatic training, agriculture, energy market regulation and a bilateral cultural and foreign affairs program for 2025–2026.
A strong focus was also placed on education, with the upcoming launch of joint research programmes involving Comenius University in Bratislava.
As the country deepens ties with the European Union and individual member states, it offers vast opportunities in investment, innovation and cross-cultural collaboration.
Whether it’s the green energy transition, high-tech partnerships, or tourism in its breathtaking Silk Road cities, Uzbekistan stands ready to engage with the world on equal and ambitious terms.
