Uzbekistan’s Possible EAEU Membership Seen as Catalyst for Regional Integration

Uzbekistan’s potential accession to the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) could open up new economic opportunities for the country and serve as a powerful engine for deeper integration across Central Asia, according to Russia’s Trade Representative in Uzbekistan, Konstantin Zlygostev.

Speaking to journalists, Zlygostev said EAEU membership would create fundamentally new prospects for Tashkent and inject fresh momentum into regional economic cooperation, The Caspian Post reports, citing Uzbek media.

One of the key advantages, he noted, would be the free movement of Uzbek goods through Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan, eliminating additional procedures that currently create bureaucratic hurdles.

Zlygostev said accession would give Uzbekistan access to a common market of nearly 180 million consumers. “This is a huge niche for Uzbek products targeting the premium segment,” he said, highlighting textiles, agricultural produce, and chemical and food industry goods as likely beneficiaries. He also pointed to tariff reductions, harmonized standards, and increased investment in joint projects as major gains.

He added that Uzbekistan’s full participation would also benefit Russia by strengthening its role in supplying fuel, metals, timber, industrial equipment, and IT solutions. “What already works will receive an additional boost. Logistics will become much simpler, and this is an extremely important factor,” Zlygostev said.

Earlier, Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev noted that during four years of cooperation with the EAEU, Uzbekistan’s foreign trade turnover with member states has nearly doubled. He stressed that EAEU countries are strategic and natural partners for Uzbekistan, and that expanding cooperation with them is particularly important amid ongoing shifts in the global economy.

The EAEU currently comprises Russia, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan. Uzbekistan has held observer status in the bloc since 2020.