“Firstly, despite the ongoing pandemic, Uzbekistan’s foreign trade turnover with the EAEU countries is growing dynamically. Following the results of 10 months, this figure increased by 30%,” he noted.

The joint working group discussed the interaction of Uzbekistan with the countries of the council at the first meeting in October this year. Currently, work is underway to join the country to the Eurasian Development Bank.

In addition, experts are developing a “roadmap” for harmonizing the country’s technical regulations with the requirements of an international organization. According to the Prime Minister, by 2022 the country will unify the bulk of these regulations. In particular, according to Aripov, the harmonization of 22 technical regulations is nearing completion, experts are working to bring 26 more standards into line.

As PM Aripov says, Uzbekistan is interested in the digitalization of trade procedures with the EAEU member states. In particular, the digitalization of freight rail transportation is of practical interest.

Furthermore, it is in the interests of Uzbekistan to create high-tech joint ventures and increase mutual supplies within the organization.

“Uzbekistan is ready to carry out guaranteed supplies of a number of agricultural products for which there is a need in the EAEU. In turn, we are also interested in purchasing certain types of food from the countries of the union,” Aripov said in his speech.

The Prime Minister of Uzbekistan proposed to develop a joint program of cooperation to ensure food security in the region.

In early December 2020, Uzbekistan received the status of an observer country in the EAEU.