They say you can’t build a future partnership on non-existent foundations. Thankfully, the relationship between Uzbekistan and Czechia is rooted in solid ground, with history as its bedrock. Uzbekistan, a key partner for Czechia in Central Asia, holds immense promise for future cooperation, and the richness of its past offers inspiration for this collaboration.
Most people probably won’t know this, but over two decades, scientists and archaeologists from both nations have worked together, uncovering historical treasures like the ancient graves at Iskadar Tepa and settlements in the Paschurt Valley, complete with their well-preserved irrigation systems dating back to the Iron and Bronze Ages.
While the past shapes us, it’s the future that demands our focus. We have a responsibility to build upon the strong foundations laid by our predecessors. Though we may be separated by thousands of kilometers, the bond between our nations has deep roots, forged long before modern diplomatic ties were formalized. Whether through the contributions of Czech engineers, scientists or scholars, this shared history of cooperation and mutual respect provides the perfect platform for an even stronger future partnership.
Last year marked the beginning of an exciting new chapter in our bilateral relations. The historic visits of prime minister Petr Fiala to Tashkent and prime minister Abdulla Aripov to Prague weren’t just symbolic-they resulted in the establishment of an enhanced cooperation framework, elevating our ties to a new level. It’s a distinction that Uzbekistan holds uniquely in the region, being the only country in Central Asia with which Czechia enjoys such a comprehensive arrangement.
It’s one thing to have good contacts on the government level but it’s pointless unless the people-to-people contacts work just as well. They are what provides lively engagements and burgeoning connections that enrich together with fresh views and ideas both our sides. All these being made easier with a direct flight link between Tashkent and Prague or Karlovy Vary.
As minister of foreign affairs, I’m here in Tashkent to continue strengthening this partnership. Our cooperation spans across various fields-railways, infrastructure, energy and other.
Czechia is also a strong supporter of deeper ties between Uzbekistan and the European Union, including the upcoming Enhanced Partnership Cooperation Agreement.
As Czechia and Uzbekistan both strive toward a prosperous future, we recognize the critical need for stability and peace to allow our nations to grow. Czechia stands as a staunch supporter of Uzbekistan’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and we call on the international community to uphold the UN Charter and international law.
The respect for sovereignty and the inviolability of borders is more essential than ever in these trying times, especially in light of Russia’s ongoing aggression against Ukraine. We urge Russia to end the war, stop threatening its neighbours and return to the principles of international law.
We have everything it takes to make the most of our partnership. So, let’s get to work. I’m committed to ensuring we turn these opportunities into reality and I’ll be doing exactly that during my visit to Tashkent.
Kelajak bizniki! (The future is ours!)
Jan Lipavsky, Foreign Minister of Czechia.