22/10/2025 (Agence Europe) – At the 18th EU-Uzbekistan Cooperation Council in Luxembourg on Tuesday 21 October, the EU reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening political and economic ties with the Central Asian country, with a view to signing their Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement in Brussels on 24 October. Chaired by EU High Representative Kaja Kallas, the meeting focused on cooperation in the areas of trade, energy, climate and critical raw materials. Discussions also touched on regional and international issues, including Russian military aggression against Ukraine, and the situation in Afghanistan and the South Caucasus. The EU welcomed the progress made by Uzbekistan in opening up its market and eradicating forced labour and child labour, while also encouraging further progress on the Rule of law, human rights and gender equality. (PLD)