President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev held a meeting on January 19, in Tashkent with Prime Minister of Italy Giorgia Meloni, who was visiting the Uzbek capital on a stopover. The talks focused on practical issues related to further strengthening the strategic partnership between Uzbekistan and Italy and expanding bilateral cooperation across multiple sectors, press service of the president reports.
During the meeting, both sides reviewed the progress in implementing agreements reached at the highest level during talks held in Samarkand in May 2025. It was noted that cooperation has continued to develop through active contacts at various levels.
The leaders highlighted steady growth in bilateral trade turnover and an increase in the number of joint ventures operating between the two countries. Interregional cooperation was also discussed, including expanding ties with the Italian region of Lombardy. In addition, quotas have been allocated for the organized labor migration of Uzbek citizens to Italy.
The meeting addressed ongoing industrial cooperation projects involving Italian companies such as Finopera, ANCI, Pietro Fiorentini, and Danieli. Educational cooperation was also noted, including the opening of a branch of Italy’s University of Tuscia in Samarkand at the end of the previous year.
Looking ahead, the sides confirmed plans to hold meetings of the Uzbekistan–Italy strategic dialogue between foreign ministries, sessions of the intergovernmental commission, and the second Rectors’ Forum during the year. Priority areas for future cooperation were identified, including textiles, geology, energy, chemistry, construction materials, and financial markets.
Cultural cooperation was also discussed. The parties agreed to organize joint Days of Uzbek and Italian Cinema and expressed support for Uzbekistan’s participation in the upcoming Venice Biennale, as well as for holding applied arts exhibitions and displays in Milan during the year.
The meeting also included an exchange of views on current international and regional issues. At the conclusion of the talks, President Mirziyoyev invited Prime Minister Meloni to make an official visit to Uzbekistan at a later date.
