At the Presidential Palace in Ljubljana, the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, and the President of the Republic of Slovenia, Nataša Pirc Musar, held talks in a contracted format and with the participation of official delegations.
The President of Uzbekistan thanked the Slovenian Leader for the warm welcome and emphasized that this first top-level summit in 20 years would go down in history as the beginning of a new stage in bilateral relations.
The talks focused on key issues related to further developing practical cooperation between Uzbekistan and Slovenia.
It was noted with satisfaction that political dialogue, contacts at various levels, and business exchanges have intensified. Mutual support is being provided within the framework of the United Nations and other international organizations.
In recent years, trade turnover has tripled. Cultural and tourism exchanges are expanding, and a visa-free regime is in effect for Slovenian citizens.
Regular dialogue at the highest and senior levels was emphasized to ensure a more structured bilateral relationship.
Particular attention was given to increasing trade turnover, with a goal of reaching €500 million in the initial phase, primarily through expanding the range of goods and promoting import substitution.
This includes exports from Uzbekistan, such as textile products, fruit and vegetable produce, mineral fertilizers, copper products, and other industrial goods, and from Slovenia – pharmaceutical products, advanced technologies, and equipment.
Opportunities will be explored to utilize the potential of Slovenia’s Port of Koper as a logistics hub for access to the European Union market.
Agreements were reached on adopting an Industrial Cooperation Program with leading Slovenian companies, as well as implementing projects for the production of modern equipment, industrial and agricultural goods, the localization of pharmaceutical manufacturing, including products based on honey and medicinal herbs, and the construction and modernization of energy facilities, among other initiatives.
To establish a structured approach to cooperation in labor migration, it was agreed to prepare an Agreement on Organized Labor Migration, including developing training and adaptation programs focusing on language, professional skills, and labor standards.
Tourism development, particularly in rural and mountainous regions, was identified as a promising area of cooperation. In education, the two sides agreed to sign an agreement on mutual recognition of diplomas and to launch joint academic programs with the University of Ljubljana and the University of Maribor.
In addition, a Joint Youth Forum on Innovative Projects will be held next year in Tashkent with the participation of universities and research centers from both countries.
To strengthen humanitarian exchange, the parties expressed support for organizing reciprocal Days of Culture and a Week of Uzbek Cinema in Ljubljana.
To advance all agreed initiatives, it was decided to hold the first meeting of the Intergovernmental Commission in July this year in Ljubljana.
Following the meeting, the President of Uzbekistan invited the President of Slovenia, Nataša Pirc Musar, to pay an official visit to Uzbekistan at a convenient time.
As part of his official visit to the Republic of Slovenia, the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, met with the Prime Minister, Robert Golob.
The discussion focused on enhancing multifaceted cooperation and practical interaction between Uzbekistan and Slovenia, particularly in trade, economy, and investment.
The fruitful outcomes of today’s high-level talks were highly praised.
The importance of intensifying joint efforts in trade, investment, and industrial cooperation was emphasized. It was noted that the business forum planned during this visit would serve as an effective platform for establishing new contacts and advancing joint projects.
Measures were reviewed to increase trade turnover to €500 million by expanding the supply of high-demand products. The GSP+ preferential trade system and the standardization agreement signed today are also expected to stimulate trade growth.
A Plan for the Development of Industrial Cooperation will be prepared, focusing on technological modernization. In this context, the intentions of leading Slovenian companies to implement projects in Uzbekistan in electrical engineering, instrumentation, pharmaceuticals, green energy, and smart agriculture were welcomed.
A site within a newly established special industrial park for European companies, managed by Inpark, has been proposed for hosting such production facilities.
To establish systematic cooperation in labor migration, an agreement was reached to create a permanent expert group and to develop the necessary legal and regulatory framework.
The parties also agreed to jointly explore the possibility of establishing direct air connections between the two countries and utilizing the infrastructure of the Port of Koper to facilitate access for Uzbek goods to the EU market.
An essential part of the discussions focused on expanding cultural and humanitarian exchanges. Slovenia’s experience in developing eco-tourism, including in mountainous and rural areas, was of particular interest.
The importance of advancing joint educational programs was emphasized, including organizing a Youth Innovation Forum in Tashkent. Reciprocal Days of Culture and a Week of Uzbek Cinema will also be held in Ljubljana next year.
To ensure the practical advancement of the outlined areas of cooperation, an agreement was reached to hold the first meeting of the Intergovernmental Commission in July this year in Ljubljana.
In addition, to ensure the timely and effective implementation of the agreements reached and documents signed, the governments of both countries will adopt a comprehensive roadmap.
Following the meeting, the President of Uzbekistan invited the Prime Minister of Slovenia, Robert Golob, to visit Uzbekistan at a convenient time.
Following the talks held in Ljubljana, the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, and the Prime Minister of the Republic of Slovenia, Robert Golob, signed a Joint Statement.
A ceremony was held in their presence to exchange bilateral agreements, including:
– on the exemption of holders of diplomatic passports from visa requirements;
– on cooperation in education, science, and culture;
– on cooperation in transport and logistics;
– on cooperation in the management of smart cities;
– on cooperation in standardization;
– on cooperation in water resource management;
– on cooperation in tourism.
On May 22, as part of the business program of his visit to Ljubljana, the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, and the President of the Republic of Slovenia, Nataša Pirc Musar, took part in a joint business forum.
The event was attended by executives and representatives of more than 100 leading industrial and commercial enterprises from both countries.
KRKA, Duol, Emo Frite, Panvita, Medex, Tajfun Planina, Altado, UVC Solutions, Riko, and others represented Slovenian businesses.
In his address, the President of Uzbekistan noted that the productive high-level talks held earlier today had opened a new chapter in relations between Uzbekistan and Slovenia, particularly in trade, economy, and investment.
It was emphasized that in the current challenging period for the global economy, it is essential to seize opportunities to increase mutual trade, expand cooperation, and diversify national economies.
A target was set to raise mutual trade volumes to €500 million in the coming years by broadening the range and volume of traded goods, including textile and fruit and vegetable products, mineral fertilizers, copper products, pharmaceuticals, technological equipment, and other high-value-added goods.
Adopting a Program for the Development of Industrial Cooperation was also highlighted, particularly in sectors where the two countries’ economies can complement each other.
The President of Uzbekistan outlined key areas for further economic partnership. These include the localization of pharmaceutical production, manufacturing of electrical equipment and food products, storing and processing fruit and vegetable produce, and constructing and modernizing green energy facilities.
Special attention was given to enhancing transport connectivity, particularly through using the Slovenian Port of Koper and establishing direct air links between the two countries.
It was noted that the visa-free regime introduced by Uzbekistan for Slovenian citizens will contribute to developing business, humanitarian, and tourism exchanges.
The President of Uzbekistan drew the participants’ attention to establishing a special industrial park in the country for European companies, which will offer unique conditions for doing business. He invited Slovenian companies to become among the first residents of this special zone.
The Head of state highly praised the interest shown by Slovenian business circles in developing mutually beneficial partnerships with Uzbekistan, noting that they presented specific proposals and plans.
The event concluded with a ceremony, held in the presence of the Presidents of both countries, for the exchange of bilateral trade, economic, and investment agreements.
