Key data
| Regulation | Agreement on Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation between the EU and its Member States and the Republic of Uzbekistan |
|---|---|
| Publication | April 30, 2026 |
| Entry into force | Not specified (pending ratification) |
| Affected parties | Exporting companies, investors and public bodies with activity in Uzbekistan |
| Category | European Regulation |
| Replaces | EU-Uzbekistan Partnership and Cooperation Agreement of 1999 |
| Official reference | OJ:L_202600918 |
European companies operating or wanting to enter Uzbekistan have had a new legal framework of reference since April 30, 2026. The Agreement on Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation between the EU and Uzbekistan (reference OJ:L_202600918) replaces the agreement in force since 1999 and updates the rules of the game after more than 25 years of bilateral relations.
It is not a minor change. The new text comprehensively regulates trade, investments, intellectual property and cooperation in strategic sectors. For any Spanish company with presence or plans in Uzbekistan, this agreement defines the legal conditions under which it can operate, protect its investments and access the Uzbek market.
What does this regulation establish?
The agreement establishes a comprehensive legal framework covering the following areas:
| Area | Content |
|---|---|
| Trade in goods and services | Regulates the conditions of access to the Uzbek market for European exporters and importers |
| Investments | Greater legal protection for European investments in Uzbekistan |
| Intellectual property | Framework for protection of trademarks, patents and copyrights in Uzbek territory |
| Energy | Sectoral cooperation in the energy field |
| Transport | Cooperation in infrastructure and connectivity |
| Digitalization | Cooperation in digital transformation and digital economy |
| Agriculture | Cooperation in the agricultural sector |
| Political dialogue | Framework for institutional relations between the EU and Uzbekistan |
| Human rights and rule of law | Essential clauses whose non-compliance may affect the application of the agreement |
| Sustainable development | Essential element of the agreement, with bilateral commitments |
The most relevant change compared to the 1999 agreement is the expansion of sectoral scope and the strengthening of guarantees for investors. The previous text did not contemplate areas such as digitalization nor did it include sustainable development clauses with the weight they have in this new agreement.
Economic and operational impact
For Spanish companies, the impact translates into three concrete dimensions:
1. Greater legal certainty for investment. The new agreement offers enhanced investment protection, which reduces the legal risk associated with operating in an emerging market like Uzbekistan. This is especially relevant for companies that were holding back investment decisions due to lack of clear legal guarantees.
2. Access to markets in strategic sectors. Explicit coverage of energy, transport, digitalization and agriculture opens formalized business avenues in sectors where Uzbekistan is undergoing modernization and actively attracts foreign investment.
3. Protection of intangible assets. The inclusion of an intellectual property framework is critical for technology companies, consulting firms, franchises or any business operating with brand, software or know-how in the Uzbek market.
The main operational risk lies in the human rights and sustainable development clauses, which are essential elements of the agreement. This means that non-compliance by Uzbekistan could suspend or modify the application of the agreement, creating uncertainty for companies with long-term contracts.
Who does it affect?
- Exporting companies of goods and services to Uzbekistan or with interest in entering the Uzbek market
- Investors with assets or investment projects in Uzbekistan (infrastructure, energy, technology, agroindustry)
- Energy sector companies with projects in Central Asia
- Transport and logistics companies with routes passing through or ending in Uzbekistan
- Technology and digitalization companies operating or wanting to operate in the Uzbek market
- Agricultural and agribusiness sector companies with export activity to Central Asia
- Law firms and consulting firms advising clients with operations in Uzbekistan
- Public bodies with cooperation programs or funded projects in Uzbekistan
- Companies with registered intellectual property or pending registration in Central Asian markets
Practical example
A Spanish engineering company that has been considering for years participating in a transport infrastructure project in Uzbekistan has historically faced an unclear legal framework to protect its investment and contracts.
With the new agreement in force, that company can:
- Invoke the investment protection framework of the EU-Uzbekistan agreement to contractually secure its participation in the project
- Register and protect its intellectual property (designs, management software, methodologies) under the new IP framework contemplated in the agreement
- Operate in the transport sector, which is explicitly covered by the agreement as an area of sectoral cooperation
- Benefit from the institutional political dialogue between the EU and Uzbekistan if disputes or administrative obstacles arise
The same scheme applies to an agribusiness company wanting to export to Uzbekistan or a technology consulting firm wanting to offer digitalization services to the Uzbek public sector.
What should companies do now?
- Assess whether you have or plan to have activity in Uzbekistan. If you already export, invest or have contracts in the country, this agreement is your new legal framework of reference. Review your current contracts in light of the new text.
- Review the protection of your intellectual property. If you operate with brand, software, patents or know-how in Uzbekistan, analyze whether the new IP framework of the agreement allows you to strengthen or expand your registered protection.
- Identify opportunities in the covered sectors. Energy, transport, digitalization and agriculture are the sectors with explicit cooperation. If your company operates in any of them, this agreement can open doors to tenders, cooperation projects or contracts with Uzbek public entities.
- Follow the ratification process. The date of entry into force has not yet been specified. It is necessary to monitor the ratification process by Member States to know when the agreement is fully applicable.
- Consult with specialized foreign trade advisory services. If you are considering a significant investment or long-term contract in Uzbekistan, this is the time to review the legal structure of the transaction with a specialist in international law and foreign trade.
Frequently asked questions
What changes for Spanish companies with the new EU-Uzbekistan 2026 agreement?
The new Agreement on Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation replaces the 1999 agreement and offers a safer legal framework for operating in Uzbekistan, with greater investment protection, better market access and coverage of areas such as energy, transport, digitalization and agriculture.
When does the EU-Uzbekistan agreement enter into force?
The agreement was published on April 30, 2026. The date of entry into force has not been specified in the published text. It is necessary to follow the ratification process by EU Member States.
What sectors does the EU-Uzbekistan agreement cover?
The agreement covers trade in goods and services, investments, intellectual property, energy, transport, digitalization, agriculture, political dialogue, human rights, rule of law and sustainable development.
Is the agreement already in force?
The agreement was published on April 30, 2026, but its entry into force is pending ratification by EU Member States. Until ratification is complete, it is not yet fully applicable, although it represents the new legal framework that will govern EU-Uzbekistan relations.
What happens if Uzbekistan violates human rights or sustainable development clauses?
These are essential clauses of the agreement. Non-compliance could lead to suspension or modification of the agreement's application, which could affect companies with ongoing contracts or operations in the country.
How can I protect my intellectual property in Uzbekistan under this agreement?
The agreement includes a specific intellectual property framework. You can register trademarks, patents and copyrights under this framework. It is advisable to consult with a specialist in international intellectual property law to ensure proper registration and protection in Uzbekistan.