Shavkat Mirziyoyev, Andrej Babiš Pledge Deeper Economic and Technological Cooperation in Landmark Tashkent Talks

Tashkent, The Gulf Observer: Shavkat Mirziyoyev held high-level talks with Andrej Babiš at the Kuksaroy Residence, focusing on expanding bilateral cooperation and charting a new phase in relations between Uzbekistan and the Czech Republic.

The negotiations were conducted in both narrow and extended formats with the participation of official delegations from both sides. At the outset, President Mirziyoyev described the visit as a “breakthrough,” expressing confidence that it would open a qualitatively new chapter in the multifaceted partnership between the two countries.

Both leaders noted with satisfaction the steady growth in bilateral engagement, highlighting strengthened contacts at governmental, ministerial, and institutional levels, alongside increasing business and humanitarian exchanges. Parliamentary friendship groups have been established, while the Intergovernmental Commission continues to function effectively.

Trade and economic cooperation featured prominently in the discussions, with bilateral trade turnover nearly doubling in recent years. The two sides set an ambitious target to increase trade volume to $1 billion by diversifying traded goods and enhancing market access.

Currently, 37 joint ventures with Czech capital are successfully operating in Uzbekistan, with cooperation expanding into new sectors. To further facilitate trade, plans are underway to establish Uzbekistan’s first certification branch in the Czech Republic. In addition, a modern laboratory for certifying Euro-6 standard vehicles and quantum measurement systems is being developed in partnership with Czech entities.

The leaders agreed to formulate a comprehensive Technological Cooperation Program involving leading Czech companies, focusing on priority sectors such as mechanical engineering, green energy, geology and critical raw materials, chemistry, and pharmaceuticals.

Discussions also covered opportunities in infrastructure development, smart cities, engineering, and digitalization. Both sides endorsed project proposals presented at the recent Uzbek-Czech Business Forum.

Financial cooperation was also highlighted, with the Export Credit Insurance Agency and the Export Bank of the Czech Republic expressing readiness to support joint projects in Uzbekistan.

To further advance economic engagement, the establishment of a bilateral Business Council was proposed, alongside plans to hold the next session of the Intergovernmental Commission in Tashkent this August.

In the cultural and humanitarian sphere, both countries reaffirmed their commitment to expanding educational cooperation, including dual-degree programs, as well as organizing cultural events, exhibitions, and film festivals. Efforts to boost tourism, including the possible resumption of direct flights between the capitals, were also discussed.

The two sides additionally explored prospects for cooperation in organized labor migration and exchanged views on key regional and international issues.

The meeting concluded with an agreement to develop a joint roadmap to ensure the effective and timely implementation of the decisions reached, underscoring both countries’ commitment to deepening their strategic partnership.