The Diplomat
The growing bilateral economic and trade relations between Uzbekistan and Spain “are a model of partnership and mutual understanding, based on trust and sincere friendship,” Uzbek Ambassador Jakhongir Ganiev stressed during the reception he hosted to commemorate the 32nd anniversary of the Central Asian country’s independence.
The ambassador recalled that “last year the authorities of the two countries held very fruitful political consultations”, followed in March this year by the first meeting of the Intergovernmental Commission on trade and economic cooperation. The aim of these contacts is, he said, “to bring cooperation to a strategic level”.
The Commission, Ganiev added, approved a roadmap for “expanding bilateral trade, eliminating trade barriers, organizing trade fairs and opening joint ventures to produce high value-added goods“. The two sides also agreed on measures to intensify business cooperation in agro-industrial, energy, chemical and tourism projects, among others. “Spain,” the ambassador concluded, “is a reliable and promising partner, and I am sure it will remain so in the long term.”
For his part, the ambassador on special mission for Central Asia, Diego Ruiz Alonso, after recalling that Spain traces its diplomatic relations with Uzbekistan back to the 14th century – in the “times when Central Asia was the center of the world” – said that “we are witnessing a resurgence of this geographical space and its strategic importance” with which “we have been increasing the ties that unite us”.
Ruiz affirmed that “the European Union, and Spain, have committed to support Uzbekistan in its modernization process” and added that “an essential aspect of our future cooperation will be to deepen cultural and educational exchanges”. The Spanish diplomat took advantage of his speech to highlight the structural changes being carried out by the Government of Uzbekistan.
This new strategy “implemented under the leadership of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev”, summarized Ganiev, has the objectives of “projecting a new democratic image of the country” and “enhancing Uzbekistan’s role as an equal player on the international scene”.
Uzbekistan is also implementing large-scale reforms for the sustainable development of the economy, support for entrepreneurs, protection of private property and protection of the most disadvantaged social sectors.
