Uzbekistan-Slovakia: A Dialogue in the Context of New Opportunities
On June 8-10, at the invitation of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, Prime Minister of Slovakia Robert Fico will pay an official visit to Uzbekistan.
Diplomatic relations between Uzbekistan and Slovakia were established on January 1, 1993. Although relations between Uzbekistan and Slovakia have long remained in the shadow of larger formats, there has been steady progress in the institutionalization and regularization of dialogue. Against the backdrop of Uzbekistan’s enhanced foreign policy strategy and the European Union’s growing interest in Central Asia, relations between Tashkent and Bratislava have gained additional momentum.
In the international arena, the countries interact within the framework of the UN, the OSCE, the Council of Europe, as well as in structures related to the global sustainable development agenda. Slovakia traditionally supports Uzbekistan’s initiatives aimed at ensuring regional security, water and environmental cooperation in Central Asia, and projects in the field of education.
For example, during the 75th session of the UN General Assembly, Slovakia supported the resolution initiated by Uzbekistan to strengthen cooperation in Central Asia. In turn, Uzbekistan highly appreciated Slovakia’s efforts within the OSCE, including its chairmanship in 2019, when particular attention was paid to transparency, the rule of law, and intercultural dialogue - themes that coincide with Tashkent’s foreign policy priorities.
Inter-parliamentary dialogue is also being consistently established.
In April 2023, a Slovak parliamentary delegation headed by the Chairman of the National Council, Boris Kollár, visited Uzbekistan. Meetings were held in the Senate and Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis (Parliament), as well as in the Cabinet of Ministers.
In March 2025, an inter-parliamentary group for cooperation with the National Council of Slovakia, consisting of 13 parliamentarians, was formed in the Oliy Majlis. A similar group for cooperation with the Oliy Majlis of Uzbekistan also operates in the Parliament of Slovakia.
Active dialogue between the foreign ministries of the two countries creates a platform for further expanding cooperation in various fields.
The foreign ministers of the two countries have repeatedly met in Tashkent, as well as on the sidelines of major international events. The parties regularly hold inter-ministerial political consultations, discussing both the bilateral agenda and coordination in international organizations. The fifth round of such consultations took place on January 14, 2025, in Tashkent.
In accordance with the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement between Uzbekistan and the EU, a most-favored-nation regime has been established in trade between the two countries. Despite the still modest volume of mutual trade, both countries are interested in building sustainable economic ties. Among the areas of mutual interest are mechanical engineering, pharmaceuticals, energy, telecommunications, agriculture, and others.
The prospects for the development of economic cooperation were also confirmed by the visit of an Uzbek delegation to Slovakia in August 2023. The Uzbek-Slovak business forum held within its framework, as well as bilateral meetings with the State Secretary of the Ministry of Economy of Slovakia Peter Švec, the Chief Executive Officer of the Slovak Investment and Trade Development Agency Robert Šimončič, the Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry Peter Mihok, and the heads of major Slovak companies were very fruitful and gave impetus to rapprochement between the business circles of the two countries.
Slovak companies see Uzbekistan as a potential market for the localization of production with the possibility of entering the CIS countries. In turn, Uzbek manufacturers are interested in access to technological solutions and investments from Slovakia.
Currently, six enterprises with the participation of Slovak capital are already operating in Uzbekistan, including four with 100% foreign capital. The mechanism regulating bilateral trade and economic relations was previously the Uzbek-Slovak Intergovernmental Commission (IGC) on trade-economic and scientific-technical cooperation. Three meetings of the IGC were held.
On May 5 this year, the first meeting of the newly established Uzbek-Slovak Intergovernmental Commission on Economic Cooperation was held in Tashkent.
It is worth noting that the Head of Government of Slovakia, Robert Fico, and a representative delegation of business circles of that country will participate in the IV Tashkent International Investment Forum, which will be held during the visit to the capital of Uzbekistan. Such a clear manifestation of political will to deepen cooperation in the economic and investment spheres will undoubtedly bear fruit and serve to establish sustainable and mutually beneficial economic ties.
It is important to note that both countries are interested in developing transport and logistics cooperation. Slovakia could become an important hub for Uzbek exports within the framework of the Trans-Caspian route and the Global Gateway initiative.
As part of Uzbekistan’s openness policy and to increase business and tourist exchanges, a visa-free entry regime for citizens of Slovakia for a period of up to 30 days has been introduced since 2019.
Recently, cooperation in the field of migration has become one of the new directions of cooperation. On March 3-6 this year, a delegation of the Migration Agency of Uzbekistan visited Slovakia. Within the framework of the visit, a meeting was held at the Ministry of Education, Research, Development and Youth of the Slovakia, and an Uzbek-Slovak forum was held, in which representatives of the Ministry of Economy, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and business circles of Slovakia took part. The delegation also held meetings with recruitment companies, following which an agreement on cooperation with the Federation of Employers’ Associations of Slovakia, and the Slovak Personnel Agency Association was signed.
Based on the Agreement between Uzbekistan and Slovakia on cooperation in the field of culture and art, signed in November 1997, delegations are exchanged in the cultural sphere, and Uzbek and Slovak delegates participate in international cultural events organized in both countries.
Since the 2014–2015 academic year, the Slovak government has included Uzbekistan in the list of countries eligible for scholarships to study at Slovak universities. Students, young researchers, and employees of research institutes in Uzbekistan can participate in this program.
Film days and concerts organized in both countries contribute to rapprochement and strengthening of intercultural dialogue.
In a word, Uzbek-Slovak relations, which have significant potential, are demonstrating new dynamics and hold promise to become a good example of mutually beneficial, modern interstate dialogue. In this context, the upcoming visit of the Prime Minister of Slovakia Robert Fico to Uzbekistan is expected to give a powerful impetus to the intensification of bilateral relations and elevate them to the level of a strategic partnership.
Dunyo IA
