Official Visit of the President of Uzbekistan to Hungary (19–21 May 2025)
During his official visit to Budapest, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Prime Minister Viktor Orbán signed a landmark Joint Declaration on the Establishment of an Enhanced Strategic Partnership, marking a new chapter in bilateral relations between Uzbekistan and Hungary. The declaration reflects a shared vision for deepening ties in politics, economics, education, and advanced technologies.
High-level talks between the two leaders were complemented by the signing of a broad set of intergovernmental and interagency agreements. These included accords on climate change adaptation, cooperation in science and innovation, the peaceful use of nuclear energy, and coordination in other strategic areas. The agreements reflect a convergence of priorities between Uzbekistan’s New Development Strategy and Hungary’s Eastern Opening Policy.
A major highlight of the visit was the Uzbek–Hungarian Business Forum, which brought together dozens of leading companies and investors from both countries. The forum underscored mutual interest in expanding investment cooperation in key sectors such as transport infrastructure, logistics hubs, the textile and pharmaceutical industries, and agriculture. Particular emphasis was placed on joint industrial projects and the development of value-added supply chains.
Additionally, the two sides explored prospects for financial cooperation, with discussions involving Eximbank Hungary and other institutions on increasing credit lines to support joint ventures and exports. Special attention was given to the growing number of Hungarian educational institutions partnering with Uzbek universities, as well as ongoing collaboration in student exchange programmes and vocational training.
This visit reaffirmed Hungary’s position as a pivotal EU partner for Uzbekistan and a strategic gateway to Europe. It also demonstrated Budapest’s strong interest in supporting broader EU–Central Asia engagement, particularly in energy diversification, connectivity, and sustainable development. The outcomes of the visit laid the groundwork for long-term, multidimensional cooperation that aligns with both countries’ regional and global ambitions.
Historic Visit to Slovenia (21–22 May 2025)
The official visit of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev to Slovenia in May 2025 marked a significant milestone in the bilateral relations between Uzbekistan and Slovenia. This visit, the first in over two decades, underscored a mutual commitment to deepening cooperation across various sectors.
High-level discussions with President Nataša Pirc Musar and Prime Minister Robert Golob culminated in the signing of a Joint Statement and an extensive package of intergovernmental and interagency agreements. These agreements encompassed key areas such as education, science, culture, transport, and logistics, laying a robust foundation for sustained collaboration.
A pivotal event during the visit was the Uzbekistan–Slovenia Business Forum held in Tashkent, which brought together over 100 representatives from leading companies of both nations. The forum facilitated in-depth discussions on enhancing trade relations, with a notable emphasis on the nearly 40% increase in bilateral trade turnover over the past year—a growth attributed in part to Uzbekistan's beneficiary status under the EU's Generalised Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP+).
The forum also highlighted prospects for joint ventures in sectors such as the automotive industry, production of components, metal products, hydraulic turbines, pumps, and pharmaceuticals. Discussions extended to the establishment of an agro-industrial complex focusing on animal husbandry, horticulture, and seed production.
Additionally, plans were considered for the Slovenian retail chain Mercator Group to establish a branch in Uzbekistan, signalling a deepening of commercial ties.
Furthermore, both parties expressed interest in enhancing connectivity through the potential establishment of charter and regular flights between Tashkent and Ljubljana. This initiative aims to bolster tourism and facilitate business travel, thereby strengthening people-to-people connections.
The visit underscored Slovenia's growing interest in Central Asia and positioned Uzbekistan as a key partner in the region. The comprehensive agreements and initiatives launched during this visit are poised to elevate the Uzbekistan–Slovenia partnership to a new level of strategic engagement, fostering mutual growth and regional stability.
Forthcoming Visit of Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni (28–29 May 2025).
The upcoming first-ever official visit of Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni to Uzbekistan is scheduled for 28–29 May 2025, with the main negotiations to be held on 29 May in the historic city of Samarkand.
This visit is viewed as a milestone in the evolving strategic partnership between Uzbekistan and Italy, with a focus on deepening political dialogue, expanding trade and investment cooperation, and enhancing humanitarian and educational exchanges.
Key priorities of the visit’s agenda include implementation of joint investment projects in industry, energy, agriculture, textiles, and tourism; expansion of cooperation in the field of green economy and sustainable development technologies; strengthening of interregional and inter-university linkages; deepening of cultural and scientific ties.
A wide-ranging package of bilateral agreements and memoranda is expected to be signed, aiming at institutionalising and operationalising the outcomes of the talks. The visit will make a significant contribution to broadening Uzbekistan’s network of strategic partners within the European Union under the vision of a New Uzbekistan.
Central Asia–Italy Summit in Astana (30 May 2025)
On 30 May, President Mirziyoyev will take part in the inaugural "Central Asia–Italy" Summit in Astana (Kazakhstan) at the invitation of President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev of Kazakhstan.
This first-ever multilateral platform for dialogue between the Central Asian nations and Italy at the highest level will focus on fostering trust and mutual understanding; developing transport and logistics interconnectivity; Ensuring energy and food security; promoting climate resilience and digital transformation.
Italy, the third-largest economy in the EU and an active participant in the Global Gateway initiative, is demonstrating a growing interest in Central Asia, a region where Uzbekistan plays a pivotal role thanks to its open foreign policy, far-reaching reforms, and favourable geostrategic location.
President Mirziyoyev is expected to emphasise the importance of a systematic dialogue between Central Asia and the EU and advocate for the establishment of a sustainable architecture of mutually beneficial cooperation, in which Italy could assume a leading role.
Taken together, these high-level visits and summits signal Uzbekistan’s and Central Asia’s determination to build active, diverse, and forward-looking relations with the European Union.
The establishment of an enhanced strategic partnership with Hungary, the deepening of cooperation with Slovenia, and the advancement of ties with Italy reflect a new stage in the development of political, economic, and cultural relations between the two regions.
These efforts not only contribute to strengthening bilateral relations, but also open new horizons for interregional cooperation, fostering stability, prosperity, and sustainable development across the broader Eurasian space.
