Samarkand, May 30, 2025 – The Europe Today: President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Prime Minister of the Italian Republic Giorgia Meloni held bilateral negotiations on Thursday at the Congress Center in Samarkand, both in a tête-à-tête format and with the participation of official delegations. The talks focused on advancing the strategic partnership between the two countries and broadening cooperation across diverse sectors.
The leaders reviewed the implementation of agreements reached during President Mirziyoyev’s official visit to Rome in June 2023, expressing satisfaction with the steady progress. Over recent years, bilateral trade turnover has nearly tripled due to an expanded range of mutual supplies, and the number of joint ventures and collaborative projects has doubled.
Cooperation with leading Italian companies in metallurgy, electrical engineering, agriculture, livestock, tourism, and other sectors has intensified. Cultural ties have also flourished, with Uzbekistan’s active participation in the Venice Biennale, exhibitions in Florence, and Uzbekistan Culture Days held in Rome and Viareggio.
The leaders praised educational collaboration, noting the successful operation of the University of Turin and University of Pisa branches in Uzbekistan, along with the productive holding of the second Rectors’ Forum this past April. Support was expressed for the launch of a branch of the University of Tuscia and the introduction of dual degree programs with universities in Pisa, Trento, Roma Tre, and Ca’ Foscari.
Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to deepening political dialogue and maintaining active engagement with European Union institutions, particularly following the recent EU-Central Asia summit hosted in Samarkand. The importance of convening a practical outcome-focused “Central Asia – Italy” summit was emphasized.
To support Uzbek businesses entering the European market, the two leaders agreed on expanding technical assistance initiatives, including the training of exporters, establishing a joint Certification Center in Tashkent, and accelerating the adoption of the Agreement on Conformity Assessment. President Mirziyoyev proposed the launch of a Technological Partnership Program with leading Italian firms.
The talks also identified priority sectors for joint investment: innovation-driven private enterprises, advanced processing of critical minerals and agricultural products, the manufacture of automotive components and high value-added goods in electrical engineering, energy, food, pharmaceuticals, and construction. Plans were discussed to develop design centers in the textile, leather, and furniture sectors. These initiatives could be centered in a new industrial park in Tashkent Region, managed by a European operator.
To enhance project financing, the establishment of a joint investment fund was proposed, with the potential involvement of Italian state financial agencies SACE and SIMEST.
Special focus was placed on developing scientific and technological cooperation in agriculture through a comprehensive roadmap. Joint efforts were proposed in cultivating grapes, olives, saffron, and asparagus, along with agro-laboratory development, biotechnological research, and agricultural insurance implementation.
To support new initiatives, the parties agreed to resume the work of the Intergovernmental Group and to hold its next meeting in conjunction with a business forum. The importance of regional cooperation was underlined, with preparations underway for the upcoming visit of the President of Lombardy, Attilio Fontana, and the first Uzbekistan–Italy Regional Forum.
The two leaders also agreed to hold Italian Culture Days in Uzbekistan, further enriching the cultural dimension of the bilateral relationship.
A key outcome of the visit was the signing of a Labor Migration Agreement, aimed at establishing systematic cooperation in the field of employment.
Concluding the meeting, President Mirziyoyev and Prime Minister Meloni agreed to develop a comprehensive roadmap to ensure the full implementation of all agreements reached.
