Uzbekistan, Tashkent, April 20 / Trend, D. Azizov /
Head of the European Union Delegation to Uzbekistan, Ambassador Norbert Justen and the leadership of the Uzbek Foreign Ministry stressed their mutual interest in the implementation of promising joint projects, boosting trade and economic relations and investment ties, establishment of direct contacts between business circles at a meeting yesterday, the Foreign Ministry said on Friday.
The sides discussed bilateral relations in the context of development of a dialogue between Uzbekistan and the European Union, a new impetus given during President Islam Karimov's visit to Brussels and his negotiations with the EU Commission in January 2011.
The parties also discussed the realization of the EU strategy on Central Asia and exchanged views on current regional and international issues.
In 2011, mutual trade between Uzbekistan and the EU countries grew by nearly 20 percent and amounted to $2.367 billion. At present, 841 enterprises with European capital operate in Uzbekistan and 266 representatives of the EU countries' leading companies have been accredited.