Latvia and Uzbekistan Forge Strong Bilateral Ties
Tashkent, The Gulf Observer: The Republic of Latvia, as a member of the European Union, continues to nurture robust diplomatic relations with Central Asian states, with Uzbekistan emerging as a key partner in the region.
Diplomatic relations between the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Republic of Latvia were established in October 1992, marking the beginning of a fruitful partnership. The opening of the Latvian Embassy in Tashkent in the same year and the subsequent inauguration of the Uzbekistan Embassy in Riga in June 1995 further solidified the foundation of bilateral cooperation.
The appointment of ambassadors from both nations – the Ambassador of Latvia to Uzbekistan in November 1994 and the Ambassador of Uzbekistan to Latvia in August 2002 – elevated bilateral relations to new heights, facilitating enhanced dialogue and cooperation across various sectors.
In recent years, bilateral engagement between Latvia and Uzbekistan has flourished, characterized by regular high-level exchanges, political consultations between foreign ministries, and productive meetings of intergovernmental commissions focusing on economic matters.
Latvia’s dynamic economy, renowned for its export-oriented sectors such as transport, information technology, forestry, and agriculture, presents numerous avenues for collaboration with Uzbekistan. The rich cultural and natural heritage of Latvia also attracts a significant number of tourists, contributing to the vibrant tourism industry.
Under the framework of the EU Strategy for Central Asia, Latvia recognizes Uzbekistan’s pivotal role in regional transport networks and endeavors to foster closer economic integration. Direct air links between Riga and Tashkent, coupled with a visa-free regime for Uzbek citizens, further facilitate business ties and tourism.
The Government of Latvia actively encourages Uzbekistan to leverage logistics and distribution channels to export goods to Europe, with a particular interest in sectors such as pharmaceuticals, green technologies, agriculture, food processing, tourism, and information technology.
Notably, Uzbekistan’s burgeoning IT sector presents promising opportunities for collaboration, with exports of IT services to Latvia surpassing $2 million and showing steady growth, primarily in software development.
In April 2024, the Invest in Uzbekistan conference held in Riga underscored efforts to stimulate IT development through investment and knowledge exchange, fostering closer ties between businesses of both nations. The conference aligns with President Shavkat Mirziyoyev’s vision to transform Uzbekistan into a leading IT outsourcing hub, creating over 300,000 jobs in the sector and boosting IT service exports to $5 billion by 2030.
Furthermore, Latvian firm KGS Group’s investment project aims to establish full-cycle technological agro-industrial complexes in Uzbekistan, starting with projects in Tashkent and Surkhandarya regions. These complexes are envisioned to contribute to the European market with products manufactured in Uzbekistan.
Uzbekistan reaffirms its commitment to nurturing a comprehensive partnership with Latvia, leveraging mutual support within international forums and achieving tangible outcomes through joint initiatives. The enduring friendship between Uzbekistan and Latvia serves as a testament to the shared values and aspirations that bind the two nations.
