Uzbekistan became the last country in the framework of the Asian tour Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. The talks in Tashkent discussed issues of bilateral Russian-Uzbek relations and preparation for the visit of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev to Moscow, which is scheduled for February 5. Russia, according to Lavrov, is interested in Uzbekistan strengthening relations with the Eurasian Economic Union (EEAS) and the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO).
On the eve of Mirziyoyev’s visit to Russia, a meeting of the intergovernmental commission on trade and economic cooperation will be held, which will consider draft documents preparing for signing at the highest level. "There are a number of events that we would like to offer you in order to organize this event in our relations in the most worthy manner," Sergey Lavrov said at a meeting with Uzbek Foreign Minister Abdulaziz Kamilov. The Russian diplomat noted that Russian-Uzbek relations at the current stage are experiencing an unprecedented rise in all areas without exception. This is the economy, and the humanitarian sphere, and military-technical cooperation.
According to experts, at the negotiations in the Kremlin, the accession of Uzbekistan to the EAEU will be one of the main issues. Judging by the discussion that has developed about the feasibility of Uzbekistan’s participation in the EAEU, Tashkent has already decided. In particular, the deputy foreign minister of Uzbekistan, Ilkhom Nematov, said in an interview with Vestnik Kavkaza that the country's participation in a particular organization should be useful and beneficial to this country. Smart people do the analysis, then everyone weighs and makes a decision. There are factors that determine the participation of Uzbekistan in this organization.
Recently, the Center for Economic Research and Reforms (CEIID) made a presentation presentation on the topic: "Assessing the Consequences of the Possibility of Uzbekistan Joining the EAEU." "Uzbekistan’s entry into the EAEU can significantly reduce the barriers for Uzbek products to enter the markets of the countries of the Union and the associated costs for exporters. Expanding the union, creating free trade zones of this organization with other countries will facilitate the entry of Uzbek exports to the markets of these countries," the director said CEIR Obid Khakimov.
According to him, from the point of view of economic feasibility, participation in the EAEU is beneficial for the Uzbek business: Uzbek producers will have equal access to the market of the EAEU countries, equal conditions will be created for labor migrants and access to Russian investment resources and technologies will be gained.
The presentation presented studies on the impact of a possible entry of Uzbekistan into the EAEU in the context of various sectors of the economy. In particular, it was noted that upon joining the EAEU, Uzbekistan will become part of a single customs space, where the common customs tariff (ETT) of the EAEU applies. When Uzbekistan joins the EAEU, the logistics of cargo delivery will improve and the delivery time for agricultural products will be reduced due to the elimination of unnecessary requirements and barriers at the borders, which will increase the export of fruits and vegetables and processed agricultural products to Uzbekistan. The modernization of the branches of Uzbekistan will take place. Effective realization of the unused export potential of the processed products of Uzbekistan in the markets of the EAEU countries is expected.
An increase in the export of Uzbek products upon joining the EAEU may occur due to a decrease in transport costs and simplification of the transit of export goods through the territory of Kazakhstan and the Russian Federation; realizing the unused export potential of the industry and expanding the range of exported products of Uzbekistan to the markets of the EAEU countries.
Along with obvious advantages, a number of Uzbek experts believe that it is not worth rushing to join the EEAS. Since the entry of Uzbekistan into some kind of integration association is fraught with a number of serious issues of a geopolitical and economic nature.
In particular, the director of the Center for Research Initiatives "Ma'no" Bakhtiyer Ergashev believes that there are industries that will benefit when Uzbekistan joins the EEAS, there are areas and industries in which gains and losses balance each other, and there are industries that for the first time lose from joining the EAEU. "A positive point is the possible increase in the influx of Russian investments and technologies. However, it is worth noting that Russia has not been the main investor in Uzbekistan for several years. The main investments come from China, and there is great doubt that this will change even if Uzbekistan joins The EAEU, "Ergashev told the Herald of the Caucasus.
As for the promotion of the Uzbek business and Uzbek products in the Russian Federation, exporters of fruits and vegetables, exporters of Uzbek textiles and footwear industry - those areas in which the country has certain competitive advantages, will benefit. More comfortable conditions will be created for them - the volume of deliveries and revenue will increase. “But, in my opinion, positive dynamics are observed now, outside of integration, as part of bilateral cooperation. EU
