At the invitation of His Excellency Mr. Shavkat Mirziyoyev, the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, His Excellency Mr. Alexander Stubb, the President of the Republic of Finland, paid an official visit to Uzbekistan on October 30-31, 2025.
The Heads of the States exchanged views on the current state and future prospects of bilateral cooperation in the political, economic, scientific-technical, cultural-humanitarian and other fields, as well as on regional and international developments.
The Signatories:
1. Agreed that, since the establishment of Uzbekistan–Finland diplomatic relations on 26 February 1992, bilateral relations between the two countries have developed on the basis of friendship, mutual respect and effective cooperation.
2. Reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthening and diversifying this partnership. They emphasized that both countries possess significant potential to expand mutually beneficial collaboration in the political, trade and economic, investment, innovation, tourism, cultural and humanitarian spheres.
3. Underscored the importance of expanding the framework of cooperation. On the occasion of the visit, they also concluded
a Memorandum of Understanding establishing the Uzbek – Finnish Business Council. Mutually agreed new initiatives significantly broaden the basis of cooperation and lay a solid foundation for long-term partnerships across strategic sectors.
4. Welcomed the ongoing deepening of institutional and inter-parliamentary dialogue, including the establishment of friendship groups, think-tank partnerships and university collaborations as effective mechanisms for promoting mutual understanding and the exchange of best practices.
5. Welcomed the positive momentum in trade and investment ties. They agreed to encourage business exchanges and contacts between their respective authorities on economic cooperation, and highlighted the role of the newly established Uzbek – Finnish Business Council as a platform to foster direct contacts between the private sectors of both countries.
6. Supported the outcomes of the Uzbek – Finnish business forums in Helsinki and Tashkent during recent years and pledged to expand trade and investment cooperation, with particular attention to strengthening partnerships in manufacturing, green technologies and advanced industries.
7. Acknowledging the growing economic partnership between Uzbekistan and Finland, the Signatories reaffirmed their mutual commitment to enhancing bilateral trade and investment cooperation, emphasizing the role of the Uzbek – Finnish Intergovernmental Commission on Economic Cooperation in this context.
8. Expressed mutual interest in exchanging views on promoting ethically sustainable labour mobility within applicable legal frameworks and responding to the needs in respective labour markets.
9. Are open to discussing the possibility of concluding a visa-free travel agreement for holders of diplomatic passports, as a step towards facilitating exchanges and strengthening bilateral relations.
10. Emphasized that joint cultural initiatives, including those involving sister cities and artistic collaboration, contribute significantly to building lasting ties between societies. Such exchanges provide valuable opportunities to celebrate national heritage, promote dialogue and strengthen the friendship between the two nations.
11. Recognising the strategic importance of educational cooperation, the Signatories welcomed the ongoing progress in strengthening academic links and underlined Finland’s expertise in modern, child-centered, and play-based education. They highlighted that expanding academic exchanges, including within the framework of the Erasmus+ mobility programme, remains an important area for deepening cooperation.
12. Stressed the importance of joint efforts in addressing environmental challenges and climate change. The Finnish side welcomed Uzbekistan’s initiatives in this domain, emphasizing enhanced cooperation to promote sustainable development and green technologies. The Uzbek side welcomed Finland’s leadership on climate and security within the OSCE and EU frameworks.
13. Emphasized the importance of improving transport connectivity to facilitate trade, investment and tourism.
14. The Finnish side expressed its support for Uzbekistan’s accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO). Both sides expressed their willingness to enhance cooperation regarding each other’s candidatures in international organisations.
15. The Finnish side supports Uzbekistan’s efforts to ensure peace, security, sustainable development and good-neighbourly relations in Central Asia. The Signatories welcomed the successful convening of the Central Asia – European Union Summit in Samarkand on 4 April 2025. They noted with appreciation the announcement of a €12 billion Global Gateway investment package aimed at advancing regional priorities in transport and digital connectivity, clean energy transition and critical raw materials.
16. The Uzbek side expressed its hope for Finland’s continued support in the process of ratification of the recently signed Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (EPCA) between Uzbekistan and the European Union. The Signatories acknowledged the EPCA as a key instrument for deepening Uzbekistan’s strategic engagement with the European Union and for unlocking the full potential of bilateral and interregional cooperation.
17. Supported the holding of the 43rd session of the UNESCO General Conference in Samarkand. Uzbekistan and Finland expressed their readiness to strengthen cooperation within the framework of this organisation.
18. Reaffirmed their support for multilateral rules-based international order and shared commitment to effective multilateralism with the United Nations at its core. They underlined their commitment to international law, including the Charter of the United Nations in its entirety. They underscored respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity of all States, peaceful resolution of disputes, diplomacy and inclusive dialogue, and reconfirmed the obligation of all States to refrain in their international relations from the threat or use of force and to respect international humanitarian law. Both Signatories expressed their support for the promotion and protection of the rule of law, human rights and fundamental freedoms.
19. They emphasised the importance of achieving as soon as possible, a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in Ukraine in accordance with the principles of the Charter of the United Nations.
20. The Uzbek side commended Finland’s Chairmanship of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) in 2025, coinciding with the 50th anniversary of the Helsinki Final Act. They emphasised the need to uphold the principles of the OSCE by the participating States. The Signatories acknowledged Finland’s leadership in marking this milestone year and advancing a comprehensive approach to security. They welcomed the Chairmanship’s focus on climate and environmental security, digital resilience, and the human dimension, including the promotion of human rights, gender equality, youth engagement, and inclusive dialogue. Both sides reaffirmed their readiness to deepen cooperation within the OSCE framework in order to promote peace, stability, and sustainable development across the region.
21. Reiterated their support for gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls. They expressed their support for achieving gender parity in the United Nations system and in other international, regional and national forums, including in leadership and decision-making positions.
22. Expressed strong confidence that the official visit of the President of the Republic of Finland to Uzbekistan would make
a significant contribution to further deepening mutual understanding, trust and broad-based cooperation for the benefit of the peoples of both countries.
23. Reaffirmed their strong determination to unlock the full potential of Uzbekistan – Finland relations and to expand practical, forward-looking cooperation across all priority areas, including political dialogue, economic and investment partnerships, innovation, education, culture, sustainable development and people-to-people exchanges.
24. His Excellency Mr. Alexander Stubb, President of the Republic of Finland, expressed his sincere gratitude to His Excellency Mr. Shavkat Mirziyoyev, President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, for the constructive, open and cordial dialogue, which has paved the way for a new chapter in bilateral relations. The President of Uzbekistan expressed confidence that this visit would serve as a significant milestone, further strengthening the bonds of friendship and advancing the partnership between the two nations.
Signed at Tashkent, on 31 October 2025, in duplicate, in the Uzbek and English languages.
| ALEXANDER STUBB President of the Republic of Finland | SHAVKAT MIRZIYOYEV President of the Republic of Uzbekistan |
