Textile products from Uzbekistan may receive customs privileges in EU countries.The customs privileges apply to processing, supplying and transit of Uzbek textile products to EU countries.

Up till now, the most favored nation treatment as part of the partnership and cooperation agreement was not applied to the import of textile products from Uzbekistan. There was also a double licensing system when issuing permits for the import of textile products from Uzbekistan to the EU.

Cotton is one of Uzbekistan’s most important industries. The World Bank has launched a new program in Uzbekistan in order to help cotton farmers improve their production efficiency, safeguard the environment, and improve labor practices.

Uzbekistan has complied with the requirement to eradicate child labor in cotton harvesting.

EU-Uzbekistan relations date back to 1991, when the European Commission launched the Technical Aid to the Commonwealth of Independent States.

Since 2007, the EU has been delivering increasing development support to Uzbekistan. Moreover, the country benefits from specific expertise in the area of higher education. The EU cooperation program supports, through its development programs, relevant policy reforms and national strategies.

Uzbekistan benefits from support under the EU-Central Asia regional program. Uzbekistan currently participates in two EU-Central Asia regional programs which address cross border challenges.