Uzbekistan is one of Latvia’s co-operation partners in the Central Asian region. Along with the development of bilateral relations, Latvia, as an EU member state, supports closer relations of the EU with the countries of the Central Asian region, including the implementation of the EU Strategy for Central Asia.
Latvia and Uzbekistan traditionally have good political and economic relationship. The dialogue between the countries has been steadily evolving in recent years, and high level visits are regularly exchanged.
Political consultations between the Foreign Ministries and the meetings of the Intergovernmental Commission on economic issues are also held on a regular basis.
Timeline of Diplomatic Relations
Diplomatic relations between Latvia and Uzbekistan were established on 3 November 1992.
The Latvian Embassy in Tashkent was opened in November 1992, and the Embassy of Uzbekistan in Riga – in June 1995.
Bilateral relations were taken to a new level of quality with the appointment of ambassadors: the Ambassador of the Republic of Latvia to Uzbekistan was posted in November 1994, and the Ambassador of the Republic of Uzbekistan to Latvia – in August 2002.
Latvia's current Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Uzbekistan is Mr. Ģirts Jaunzems.
Prospective Fields of Cooperation
Promotion of Economic Cooperation
Latvia believes that the geographic location and economic potential of both countries makes it possible to place focus on expanding economic co-operation. Latvia welcomes the reform plans of Uzbekistan’s new political leadership aiming to improve the business and investment environment in the country: putting reforms in place can give fresh impetus to further cooperation. Latvia is prepared to provide support and share its experience of reforms, and Uzbekistan remains one of Latvia’s priority partner countries for development cooperation.
Latvia is interested in Uzbekistan making even greater use of logistics and distribution opportunities offered by Latvia for the export of Uzbekistan’s goods to Europe. Uzbekistan has a major role to play in the functioning of regional routes. We believe that new initiatives in transport and transit can stimulate economic integration, which is vital for joint efforts to reinforce security, stability and economic growth in the region.
Pharmaceuticals, agriculture, food processing, information technologies, waste processing and green technologies, tourism and other areas have been identified by Latvian businesses as potential sectors for cooperation with Uzbekistan.
Work of the Intergovernmental Commission
A Latvia-Uzbekistan Intergovernmental Commission on economic, industrial, scientific and technical cooperation was established in 1998, and has since been functioning on a regular basis. Its competence lies in providing expert advice and solutions to topical issues concerning relations between the two countries.
Useful Links:
President of Uzbekistan - http://www.press-service.uz/en
Uzbek Government portal - http://www.gov.uz/
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan - http://mfa.uz/
Ministry of Foreign Trade of Uzbekistan - http://www.mft.uz/
Delegation of the European Union to Uzbekistan: https://eeas.europa.eu/delegations/uzbekistan_en