Uzbekistan’s New Foreign Policy: Balancing East and West Through Strategic Openness
Uzbekistan’s foreign policy has undergone a fundamental transformation since late 2016, marked by a shift from relative isolation to openness, pragmatism, and proactive engagement on the global stage. A clear indication of this transformation is the introduction of a visa-free regime for citizens of nearly 100 countries—many of them European—alongside a surge in foreign direct investment, which reached almost $12 billion in 2024, marking a more than fourfold increase compared to 2016. These developments have significantly enhanced international connectivity and underscored Uzbekistan’s commitment to openness and global cooperation.
This shift has also contributed to a new geopolitical dynamic in Central Asia. Relations among the regional states have become more constructive, collaborative, and even more brotherly. Uzbekistan now prioritises its ties with neighbouring Central Asian republics, firmly believing that regional stability and prosperity begin with strong, trust-based cooperation within the region. As Central Asia reclaims its historical role as a bridge between civilisations, Uzbekistan stands at the heart of this transformation—geopolitically neutral, economically reforming, and diplomatically active.
At the same time, Uzbekistan pursues a multi-vector foreign policy—one that is balanced, sovereign, and driven by national interests. In this context, Russia and China naturally play significant roles due to their geographic proximity, historical linkages, and economic scale. Russia has long been a key strategic and economic partner. China has, in recent years, surpassed Russia as Uzbekistan’s largest trading partner, reflecting Beijing’s growing investment and engagement in the region.
That said, it is essential to emphasise that Uzbekistan does not privilege any single partner over others. Uzbekistan’s goal is to establish mutually beneficial relationships with a diverse range of countries, maintaining neutrality and flexibility in the face of global geopolitical tensions. This principle of equidistance and diversification ensures that Uzbekistan can work effectively with all major actors—East and West alike.
In particular, Uzbekistan attaches significant importance to strengthening ties with Europe and the broader Western world, for specific strategic reasons.
First, in the process of modernising public administration and reforming key sectors, Uzbekistan seeks to learn from the experience of Western democracies—not to copy models blindly, but to adapt best practices and avoid the pitfalls encountered by others. In this regard, the education sector is a prime focus. Officials are actively encouraging public institutions to recruit professionals with Western education and international experience, as they bring global perspectives and reform-oriented approaches.
Secondly, Uzbekistan is actively focused on attracting foreign direct investment (FDI), not solely as a source of capital inflow but also as a critical channel for the transfer of knowledge, advanced technology, and managerial expertise. While domestic financial resources are available in some cases, the country often faces constraints in terms of technical capacity, institutional knowledge, and project implementation skills, particularly for large-scale and complex development initiatives.
In this context, Western investors and professionals can play a transformative role. Their experience in sectors such as infrastructure development, financial services, geology, renewable energy, public administration, and healthcare is especially valuable. By engaging foreign partners with proven expertise in these domains, Uzbekistan aims to accelerate reform outcomes, build institutional resilience, and ensure more effective delivery of public services, ultimately advancing its broader goals under the Uzbekistan–2030 Strategy.
Nonetheless, Uzbekistan recognises that engagement with Europe presents particular challenges. Decision-making within the EU can be slower and more bureaucratic compared to the more centralised approaches of Russia or China. Geographic distance and shifting policy priorities within the EU sometimes create additional barriers. Still, we observe a positive shift in EU-Uzbekistan relations. European leaders are increasingly prioritising Central Asia in their foreign policy agendas. Recent high-level visits—including those by the Presidents of the European Council and European Commission to Tashkent—demonstrate this renewed interest. Similarly, President Mirziyoyev has made several visits to European capitals, reinforcing Uzbekistan’s commitment to stronger ties with the EU.
Uzbekistan already benefits from the GSP+ trade preferences, which allow more than 6,500 domestically produced goods to enter European Union markets duty-free. This mechanism provides Uzbek exporters with a clear competitive advantage, contributing to the country’s broader goal of export diversification. However, it is essential to acknowledge that the full potential of GSP+ remains underutilised at present. This highlights significant untapped opportunities for expanding trade volumes and strengthening market integration with the EU.
Further progress is anticipated with the ratification of the Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (EPCA) between Uzbekistan and the European Union, expected later this year. The EPCA will not only formalise a new phase in bilateral relations but also unlock additional incentives for collaboration across a broad spectrum of strategic sectors, including trade, governance, education, climate policy, and innovation.
In conclusion, Uzbekistan’s foreign policy is principled yet flexible, grounded in a multi-vector approach that seeks to maximise national interests without becoming entangled in geopolitical rivalries. Uzbekistan strives to balance and diversify its partnerships, while promoting a peaceful, rules-based, and development-oriented international order. This approach reflects the country’s broader strategic vision of building a modern, inclusive, and globally connected Uzbekistan.
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Author: Eldor Tulyakov,
The Executive Director, Development Strategy Centre, Uzbekistan
