Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — Talks were held at the “Karmelita” Palace between the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, and the Prime Minister of Hungary, Viktor Orbán. The meeting began in a private format and then continued with the participation of official delegations from both countries.

The sides discussed further steps to deepen strategic partnership and expand multifaceted cooperation between Uzbekistan and Hungary. The Uzbek head of state expressed sincere gratitude to the Prime Minister for the warm and hospitable reception extended to the delegation in Budapest.

Satisfaction was expressed regarding the steady development of practical cooperation across all key areas. Contacts between the parliaments, government bodies, sectoral ministries, and regions of both countries have intensified. Effective collaboration is being established within the framework of the United Nations, the Organization of Turkic States, and other international platforms.

A stable growth in trade turnover and expanded cooperation between leading enterprises in various economic sectors was noted. Both sides emphasized the importance of increasing mutual trade volume to 500 million euros in the initial phase, which will be made possible, among other things, through import substitution mechanisms and the application of preferences under the “GSP+” scheme.

As part of these goals, plans include accrediting laboratories in accordance with European Union requirements, launching a product pre-certification program, and creating a unified platform to support export-oriented companies.

Currently, the total portfolio of joint investment projects exceeds US$500 million. Following this visit, initiatives and projects worth more than 1.5 billion euros have been prepared.

Special attention was drawn to the significance of the Hungarian bank OTP entering the Uzbek financial market, which sends an important signal to the entire European business community. An agreement was reached with the bank to deepen cooperation, including the establishment of a joint venture for auto lending development and implementation of an entrepreneurship support program. The project to create a poultry farming cluster in the Syrdarya region is also in an active phase.

During the morning meeting with business representatives, new projects were discussed in areas such as modernization of transport infrastructure, construction of highways and logistics centers, development of utility networks, production of finished textile products, building materials, chemical and pharmaceutical products, digital technologies, and aquaculture.

To accommodate new manufacturing facilities, a special industrial zone managed by the Hungarian operator Inpark is planned to be established in Uzbekistan, aimed at European companies.

The sides agreed to prepare and adopt an Investment Partnership Program, which is planned to be approved at the next session of the Intergovernmental Commission in Budapest in July.

Additionally, a proposal was put forward to resume the Uzbek-Hungarian Business Council and hold its next meeting with broad participation from business circles of both countries.

The results of the first Regional Forum held last October in Kokand were highly appreciated. An agreement was reached on thorough preparation for the second Forum, to be held in Hungary, with the aim of expanding interregional ties.

In the context of intensifying business, tourism, and cultural exchanges, prospects for expanding direct air links between Uzbekistan and Hungary were discussed.

Special attention was paid to the development of humanitarian and cultural relations. Among notable events were the installation of a bust of the great Uzbek poet Alisher Navoi in Lakitelek and the holding of Uzbek Cinema Days in Budapest in January this year.

It was proposed to declare the coming year as the Year of Uzbek and Hungarian Culture. Preparations are underway for the staging of the ballet “Lazgi” at the Hungarian State Opera Theatre and for organizing an exhibition of Uzbek cultural heritage at the Ethnographic Museum of Budapest.

The parties agreed to continue cooperation in education within the framework of the “Stipendium Hungaricum” program and to explore the possibilities of introducing dual degree systems and establishing branches of Hungarian universities in Uzbekistan.

Additionally, it was proposed to hold the third Uzbek-Hungarian Rectors’ Forum in Tashkent.

The leaders of the two countries exchanged views on current international and regional agenda issues. The necessity of further cooperation in combating terrorism, extremism, illicit drug trafficking, human trafficking, and other challenges to global and regional security was emphasized.

To ensure effective implementation of the agreements reached, the respective ministries were tasked with developing a joint “roadmap.”

At the conclusion of the meeting, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev invited Prime Minister Viktor Orbán to pay a reciprocal visit to Uzbekistan.