Official talks between the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev and the Prime Minister of the Italian Republic Giorgia Meloni took place at the Congress Center in Samarkand. The discussions focused on deepening the strategic partnership and expanding multifaceted cooperation between the two countries.

It was noted with satisfaction that the agreements reached during the high-level meetings in Rome in June 2023 are being successfully implemented. In recent years, bilateral trade has almost tripled, and the number of joint enterprises and projects has doubled. Mutually beneficial cooperation has been established with leading Italian companies in metallurgy, electrical engineering, agriculture, livestock, tourism, and other sectors.

Cultural and humanitarian ties are also actively developing. The Uzbek delegation took part in the Venice Biennale, an exhibition was held in Florence, and Days of Uzbek Culture were organized in Rome and Viareggio. The branches of the Universities of Turin and Pisa are operating successfully, and the second Forum of Rectors held in April was productive.

The two sides emphasized the importance of maintaining political dialogue and continuing active cooperation with the institutions of the European Union. Given the successful summit held in Samarkand in April, the need to organize a “Central Asia – Italy” Summit focused on practical outcomes was underscored.

In the trade and economic sphere, the parties agreed to expand technical assistance programs for businesses. Plans include training Uzbek exporters for entry into the EU market, establishing a joint Certification Center in Tashkent, and accelerating the signing of an agreement on conformity assessment.

President Shavkat Mirziyoyev proposed launching a Technological Partnership Program with leading Italian companies. One of the priorities highlighted was the placement of such projects in an industrial park to be established in Tashkent region under European management.

Discussions are underway on establishing a joint investment fund and attracting Italy’s state agencies — SACE and SIMEST — to support joint projects.

Special attention was given to the development of large-scale scientific and technological cooperation in agriculture. The two sides explored prospects for cooperation in grape, olive, saffron, and licorice cultivation, the creation of agro-laboratories, the development of biotechnology, and the implementation of agricultural insurance.

To promote new initiatives, it was agreed to resume the work of the Intergovernmental Commission and hold its next meeting alongside a business forum.

In the context of expanding interregional cooperation, the importance of the visit by Lombardy Governor Attilio Fontana and the practical outcomes of the first Regional Forum was highlighted.

In the field of education, plans to open a branch of the University of Tuscia in Uzbekistan and to launch dual degree programs with the Universities of Pisa, Trento, Roma Tre, and Ca’ Foscari were supported.

The two countries also agreed to organize Days of Italian Culture in Uzbekistan.

At the conclusion of the meeting, a decision was made to develop a comprehensive “Roadmap” to implement the agreements reached.

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