On 8 April 2021, political consultations were held between the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of Latvia and Uzbekistan. Latvia was represented in the talks by the Under-Secretary of State, Political Director Jānis Mažeiks, and the delegation of Uzbekistan was headed by the First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Farhod Arziev.
The officials commended the regular political dialogue and constructive practical cooperation between Latvia and Uzbekistan. Jānis Mažeiks noted that Latvia was interested in a continued exchange of high-level visits, epidemiological situation permitting. Farhod Arziev underlined the good contacts between the parliaments and confirmed the intention in strengthening them.
Farhod Arziev thanked Latvia for supporting reforms launched in the country and expressed interest in Latvia’s expertise also in future. Jānis Mažeiks confirmed that Latvia would be continuing to provide support for Uzbekistan’s reforms in the framework of development cooperation both through bilateral and multilateral projects. The main fields of cooperation currently are good governance (including e-governance and border management), education, agriculture, gender equality, and sustainable development.
In a discussion on economic cooperation, the Latvian and Uzbek diplomats underlined the importance of connectivity in developing trade and confirmed their interest in further cooperation in transport and transit. Successful cooperation in the education sector was also noted. More than 1300 Uzbek citizens are studying in Latvia, Latvian higher education institutions have established their branches in Uzbekistan, and double degree programmes have been launched. Both Latvia and Uzbekistan are interested in expanding cooperation.
The good cooperation between Latvia and Uzbekistan in international organisations was noted with appreciation by both sides. Jānis Mažeiks expressed support for signing an Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement between the European Union and Uzbekistan and congratulated Uzbekistan on being granted the status of beneficiary of the Generalised Scheme of Preferences (GSP+).
Deputy Foreign Minister Arziev thanked Latvia for its active engagement in building relations between the EU and Central Asia, especially in the EU Border Management Programme (BOMCA) with the Latvian Border Guard as the lead partner in the implementing consortium. Jānis Mažeiks confirmed that Latvia will continue to contribute to the implementation of the EU Strategy for Central Asia by continuing to lead the 10th phase of the programme. Afghanistan’s joining of the 10th phase will facilitate the involvement of the country in regional connectivity processes thereby promoting development in Central Asia.
Political consultation between the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of Latvia and Uzbekistan have been held on a regular basis; the previous meeting took place in Riga on 11 March 2020.