Uzbekistan and Slovakia sign strategic partnership agreement, discuss wide-ranging cooperation

At the outset of the meeting, President Mirziyoyev emphasized that this visit would open a qualitatively new chapter in the history of multifaceted Uzbekistan–Slovakia relations. Both sides expressed satisfaction with the positive momentum in political dialogue, trade, investment, and humanitarian exchanges.

In a key outcome of the talks, President Mirziyoyev and Prime Minister Fico signed a Joint Declaration on the Establishment of Strategic Partnership between Uzbekistan and Slovakia. Additionally, several bilateral agreements were exchanged in the presence of the leaders, covering areas such as:

• Diplomatic personnel training;
• Cooperation in agriculture;
• Standardization, metrology, and conformity assessment of goods;
• Regulation of energy markets;
• A cooperation program between foreign ministries for 2025–2026;
• A standardization cooperation program for 2025–2026.

The leaders agreed on the importance of expanding trade turnover, with a particular focus on diversifying the range of goods exchanged. Uzbekistan aims to increase exports of textiles, agricultural products, electrical equipment, chemicals, and polymers to Slovakia, while Slovakia is expected to supply rubber products, auto components, pharmaceuticals, and other industrial goods.

In light of modern global challenges and an unpredictable international environment, both sides emphasized the need for systematic collaboration and coordination with foreign ministries and European institutions.

Special attention was given to the implementation of upcoming agreements in technical regulation and metrology. The launch of a quantum standards laboratory and efforts to eliminate technical barriers to trade were identified as priority areas.

The two countries reached agreements to develop an extensive industrial cooperation program with Slovakia’s leading companies. The program includes initiatives in the agro-industrial sector, localizing production of auto parts, manufacturing pharmaceuticals, promoting green energy projects, and expanding tourism cooperation.

The parties also discussed the potential establishment of a joint venture fund to accelerate IT startups, highlighting the vast opportunities in digital transformation and startup investment. Furthermore, they proposed broadening the use of existing financial tools to support joint projects.

In the humanitarian sphere, both sides confirmed their mutual interest in enhancing education and academic exchanges. Agreements were made to launch joint research programs, including with the participation of Comenius University in Bratislava.

A bilateral cultural cooperation program was also agreed upon, aiming to organize mutual exhibitions, film screenings, concerts, and collaborative projects in the museum sector.

Organized labor migration was another key topic. The Slovak side expressed its interest in establishing systematic cooperation in this area.

The leaders also exchanged views on pressing international issues and pledged mutual support in multilateral platforms.

To ensure the timely and effective implementation of the decisions and agreements reached, Uzbekistan and Slovakia agreed to adopt a comprehensive roadmap through their respective governments.