EU Partnership and Cooperation Agreement with Uzbekistan
The first round of negotiations on a Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA) between the European Union and the Republic of Uzbekistan took place on 7-8 March in Brussels. The agreement will follow the same form as agreements already signed between the EU and a number of Independent States of the former Soviet Union. It will provide for cooperation in a wide range of areas, covering relations in virtually all domains, with the exception of military and security questions. The PCA provides for political dialogue, a high level of mutual obligations regarding trade in goods, the establishment and operation of companies, the protection of intellectual property rights, and the free flow of investment capital. The EU will offer assistance in a large number of areas including: transport, energy, financial services, privatization, science and technology, education and training, and the environment, as well as in the fields of democracy and human rights. The Uzbek side attaches particular importance to further intensification of trade relations with the Union and both parties consider that Uzbekistan's early accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO) will give this process a decisive impetus.
Countries
Uzbekistan