Overview

The relations between the European Union and Uzbekistan started upon the independence of Uzbekistan in 1991. While initially the focus was primarily on development cooperation, the signature of the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA) in 1996 created space for broadening bilateral relations by creating an institutional framework and expanding the scope of areas of cooperation from development to political affairs, trade and economic issues, matters of human and social development and others. In 1991 – 2006, Uzbekistan has benefited primarily from support under the EU TACIS program, designed to support the process of transition in the CIS countries. During previous programming period pdf - 289 KB [289 KB] (2011-2013), EU development assistance has been based on the priorities identified in the 2011 -2013 Regional Indicative programme for Central Asia.

The 2014 – 2020 Multi-annual Indicative Programme pdf - 515 KB [515 KB] under the EU’s Development Cooperation Instrument (DCI) sets forth the main priorities for bilateral development assistance, chiefly rural development, in line with the Agenda for Change and the Development Cooperation Instrument.

Its scope extends beyond the traditional focus on agriculture as it will support income and employment generating investments in village infrastructure, in local cooperatives, family farms, micro and small- sized enterprises. Rural development interventions may also include sustainable energy, improvement in rural areas of water/sanitation and irrigation systems, as well as climate change resilience actions or disaster risk reduction measures, when relevant and appropriate.

In line with the Agenda for Change and the Development Cooperation Instrument, EU regional programmes aim at supporting a broad-based process of dialogue and collaboration between CA countries. In this regard, the EU adoptedMulti-annual Indicative Programme 2014-2020 Regional Central Asia pdf - 789 KB [789 KB] with an indicative allocation of EUR 245 million. Based on this background, the following focal sectors have been identified:

  • Regional Sustainable Development
  • Regional Security for Development

Two additional instruments will supplement the two focal sectors; the blending mechanism operating through the Investment Facility for Central Asia (IFCA) and the Multi-country Technical Assistance Facility.

Support to higher Education through the new programme ERASMUS + will also be financed from regional funds with an allocated amount of EUR 115 million.

Other EU external instruments are available to complement EU support to the region. the thematic programmes “Global public goods and challenges”, “Civil Society and Local Authorities”, '' European Initiative for Democracy and Human Rights'' (EIDHR), peace and stability (Instrument contributing to Stability and Peace) and the Instrument for Nuclear Safety Cooperation (INSC) are particularly important.

Fore more information, please consult project fiches containing Projects managed by EU Delegation to Uzbekistan pdf - 470 KB [470 KB] and EU regional projects, programmes and initiatives involving Uzbekistan pdf - 706 KB [706 KB] .