Uzbekistan
Uzbekistan gained its independence from the Soviet Union on August 31, 1991, with the anniversary celebrated annually on September 1. This Central Asian state covers an area of 448,900 km² and is the only country in the world that is double landlocked (surrounded only by other landlocked countries). Nevertheless, it's considered a transportation and logistics hub for the region. With over 37 million inhabitants, it is the most populous country in Central Asia. The vast majority of the population is ethnically Uzbek, and the official language is Uzbek, though there are also smaller numbers of Russians, Tajiks, Kazakhs, and other ethnic groups. Islam is the dominant religion.
The country's development is built on both its location and its valuable natural resources. It is a key player in the Central Asian energy network for natural gas and oil, and also has significant reserves of uranium, copper, coal, phosphate, and tungsten. Moreover, it is one of the world's largest gold producers (Muruntau mine). In addition to its favorable natural endowments, the country's economy has shown dynamic growth over the past decade, thanks to market liberalization reforms and incentives for foreign investment. Its main economic sectors are the aforementioned energy industry (natural gas and oil extraction, export) and mining, as well as agriculture (cotton, silk, vegetable and fruit farming), the food industry, the textile industry, and tourism (the cities of the Silk Road).
New Uzbekistan: New Constitution and New Elections
The country's first president, Islam Karimov, was succeeded by Shavkat Mirziyoyev in 2016. The change in leadership injected new momentum into the country, and under President Mirziyoyev's presidency, Uzbekistan has implemented significant political reforms. In 2017, he launched the "Action Strategy," a five-year program with a primary goal of strengthening the role and effectiveness of the parliament (Oliy Majlis). As a result of these reforms, the parliament's powers and its involvement in addressing socio-economic, political, and legal issues have been significantly expanded. The material, technical, and informational support for parliamentary representatives has improved, and new organizational units, such as a budget department, have been established to assist lawmakers in analyzing the national budget. The government also introduced broader public discussions and public debates on draft laws through the Unified Portal of Public Services, and it has adopted modern digital technologies in the legislative process. These steps have increased the transparency of the Uzbek parliament, the accountability of the executive branch, and have stimulated dialogue with voters, leading to much more effective work by elected representatives and their staff.
In 2023, a referendum approved extensive constitutional amendments, which radically revised and expanded the 1992 basic law. The new constitution significantly increased the state's obligations to society, for example in social benefits and civil liberties, and it promotes the development of local self-government. The amendments also included the abolition of the death penalty and the prohibition of the extradition of citizens. Based on the new constitution, snap presidential elections were held in July 2023, which were won by Mirziyoyev, who had been pushing for the reforms. The parliamentary elections in 2024 were an important milestone in the reform process of the Mirziyoyev era, which, together with the constitutional amendments and the transformation of political institutions, aims to modernize the country's political system while ensuring the stability of its power structures. At the invitation of the embassy, I had the opportunity to be personally present at the elections as an observer and to visit numerous polling stations. In my view, under Mirziyoyev's presidency, Uzbekistan has made significant progress in increasing the effectiveness of its parliament and transforming its political system, particularly with the adoption of the new constitution and the subsequent elections, which have strengthened the president's power and political stability within the framework of "New Uzbekistan."
Uzbekistan also plays an active role in international organizations, as it is a member of the UN, the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the World Bank Group, Interpol, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), the Central Asian Cooperation Organization (CACO), the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO), and the Organization of Turkic States (OTS), among others.
Hungary
Compared to the Central Asian country, Hungary's area (93,000 km²) is nearly one-fifth of Uzbekistan's, and its population is less than one-third. The official language is Hungarian, and the vast majority of the population identifies as ethnically Hungarian and Christian. This landlocked Central European country is also a key player in transportation and logistics in its own region, located at a crossroads of transportation routes. This helps to compensate for the lack of natural resources. The main drivers of the economy are the service sector (64.8%), industry (31.3%), and agriculture (3.9%). After breaking free from the Soviets, the third Hungarian republic was proclaimed in 1989, and Prime Minister Viktor Orbán is currently serving his fourth consecutive term. Hungary is a full member of the European Union (EU), NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization), the Schengen Area, the Council of Europe, the OSCE (Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe), and the OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development). Like Uzbekistan, Hungary is also a member of the UN, the World Bank Group, the IMF, Interpol, and UNESCO. The Organization of Turkic States (OTS), of which Uzbekistan is a founding member, has Hungary as an observer, and this is perhaps the strongest link in their cooperation.
A Look Back at the Past Three Decades
Diplomatic cooperation between the two countries began on March 14, 1992, shortly after Uzbekistan became an independent state. The legal framework for this cooperation is based on several key agreements, including the agreement on trade and economic relations (1992), the agreement on the mutual protection of investments (2002), and the agreement on the avoidance of double taxation (2008). Cooperation between the two countries has been regular and structured since 2013. One of the key institutional frameworks for economic cooperation is the Intergovernmental Commission on Economic Cooperation, whose 10th session is scheduled to take place in July 2025.
Diplomatic relations have also developed significantly between the two countries. Hungary opened its embassy in Tashkent in February 2016 as part of its "Eastern Opening" policy. On March 27, 2023, Uzbekistan also opened an embassy in Budapest, with the ambassador, Aybek Shakhavdinov, also serving in several other countries. Inter-parliamentary relations were established in 2020, and cooperation between the two legislative bodies has been close ever since.
The Beginning of a Strategic Partnership
The deepening of relations between the two countries was undoubtedly driven by the determination of their two leaders. Prime Minister Viktor Orbán's official visit to Uzbekistan in 2021, followed by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev's visit to Hungary in 2022, opened a completely new level of relations, as this is when the strategic partnership was institutionalized.
Orbán in Tashkent, 2021
During Orbán's visit to Tashkent in 2021, the parties signed a historic agreement to establish a strategic partnership, which elevated Hungarian-Uzbek relations to a new level. In the presence of the two leaders, a number of agreements were made covering a wide spectrum of bilateral cooperation. These aimed to deepen foreign affairs and labor relations, nuclear energy specialist training, and cooperation in the fields of innovation, culture, and agriculture. The agreement on the University of Debrecen's training programs in Uzbekistan deserves special mention as a cornerstone of expanding educational relations.
Mirziyoyev in Budapest, 2022
Mirziyoyev's 2022 visit was truly special, as it had been twenty years since an Uzbek head of state had last visited Budapest. The result of the two-day official visit was a significant package of cooperation, with exactly 16 bilateral documents signed, covering various areas such as trade, investment, agriculture, finance, culture, and humanitarian issues. The trade volume between the two countries has grown significantly in recent years, and the visit further strengthened economic ties, particularly in the Uzbek IT, communications sector, biotechnology, construction, agriculture, chemical industry, textile manufacturing, and mechanical engineering fields. In connection with the establishment and operation of the Uzbek-Hungarian Potato Research Center, the Hungarian side offered its help in reducing Uzbek potato prices.
Mirziyoyev in Budapest, 2025
The two leaders last met on May 20, 2025, in Budapest, when the Uzbek president arrived in the Hungarian capital to attend the first informal summit of the Organization of Turkic States ever to be held in Hungary. The relationship between the two countries reached a new level with the signing of a joint declaration on an enhanced strategic partnership. Hungary is the first EU member state to enjoy such a status with Uzbekistan. Ministerial agreements were also concluded between the two countries, resulting in an extradition agreement, as well as an agreement on disaster management and climate protection cooperation. It was also agreed that the Hungarian state-owned MVM would participate in Uzbek nuclear power plant construction, and the relationship between the 4iG Group and Uzbekistan reached another milestone, as the Hungarian technology giant, confirming its long-term commitment to the Central Asian region, signed two significant preliminary agreements with Uzbek partners. Mirziyoyev also held important business negotiations with the leaders of the largest Hungarian companies, including MOL, OTP Bank, 4iG, BDPST Group, Indotek, MVM, Duna Group, H2O Consortium, Inpark, and Wizz Air.
Economic Cooperation
Currently, 17 businesses with Hungarian capital are operating in Uzbekistan, including 10 joint ventures and 7 wholly foreign-owned enterprises. The most significant projects include the establishment of poultry farming clusters in the Syrdarya region, the privatization of "Ipoteka-bank" by the Hungarian "OTP" bank, and the localization of the pharmaceutical and auto parts manufacturing with the "Joyson Safety Systems" company. A key initiative from Hungary is the partial outsourcing of its textile, leather, clothing, and footwear industries to Uzbekistan. Uzbekistan has a strong interest in Hungarian agriculture, technology, logistics, mechanical engineering, the pharmaceutical industry, and water management. It was announced in 2024 that in the field of energy, Budapest supports the Uzbek nuclear program, has begun training future specialists from the country in Hungary, and can also supply refrigeration technology to Uzbekistan.
Development Fund, Special Economic Zone
The Uzbek-Hungarian Business Council was formed in 2021, and since 2022, a development fund has also been helping companies with joint investments. A new impetus for investments could be the establishment of a special economic zone (SEZ) in Tashkent on a planned 50-hectare site within the "Agren" Free Economic Zone, which will be reserved for Hungarian and European companies.
Uzbek-Hungarian Business Forum
In recent years, the Uzbek-Hungarian business forum has been held regularly, either in Tashkent or Budapest. The first was organized in 2022, when representatives of 44 Hungarian companies visited the capital of Uzbekistan, where 180 inter-company meetings took place. A similar event was also organized in Hungary during the Uzbek president's visit. On March 27, 2023, the Hungarian-Uzbek Business Forum was held in Budapest, facilitating networking for 44 Hungarian and 15 Uzbek companies through personal meetings. In 2024, an agreement was reached to establish an office for the Central Asia Direct Investment Fund (CADIF), initiated by the Hungarian side to streamline cooperation and boost Hungarian corporate activity in the region. At the business forum, Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó announced that Hungary was ready to triple its financing of CADIF from $50 million to $150 million.
Middle Corridor
The strategically important multimodal trade and logistics route, the Middle Corridor, officially known as the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR), connects China with Europe via the Caspian Sea, Central Asia, the Caucasus, and Turkey, offering an alternative to the traditional shipping routes through Russia. Although Uzbekistan and Hungary are geographically distant, both have a significant role in this new route, as both play a major logistical role in their respective regions. Ultimately, this route connects the two countries and can facilitate trade. I was personally present at the Tashkent International Forum in 2024.
EU, Organization of Turkic States
EU
As a member of the European Union, Hungary can provide great assistance in bringing the EU and Central Asian countries closer together. Amidst global transformations and the growing role of regional cooperation, Uzbekistan sees Hungary as a reliable partner that can promote the deepening of relations with the European Union while actively contributing to initiatives concerning the Turkic world.
Organization of Turkic States
The Turkic peoples see Hungary as the westernmost separated kindred nation. This makes cooperation within the framework of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS), in which Hungary has participated as an observer since 2018, particularly important. The most recent meeting was held in Budapest, attended by the heads of government of the organization, which gave prestige to both the event and Hungary. With the help of the OTS, the Hungarian government has built close ties with the Turkic-speaking countries and has played an important role in integration between the regions. For Uzbekistan and Hungary, the OTS offers unique opportunities to implement joint projects in the fields of transport, energy, digitalization, ecology, and education. Overall, it can be said that Hungary plays a bridging role between the EU and the Organization of Turkic States, particularly with Uzbekistan, while Tashkent serves as a strategic entry point for Budapest into Central Asia, facilitating the deepening of cooperation in the region.
Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Relations
Higher Education
The first Hungarian-Uzbek Rectors' Forum was held in Tashkent in June 2021, where members of the Hungarian delegation held cooperation talks with rectors and leaders of Uzbek state universities. The primary focus of Hungarian-Uzbek bilateral educational cooperation is on knowledge transfer in agriculture and water management, medicine, architecture and civil engineering, as well as technical, economic, and financial fields. The Stipendium Hungaricum (SH) excellence scholarship program currently provides a quota of 170 places for Uzbek university students to study in Hungary. The second Hungarian-Uzbek Rectors' Forum was held in Budapest in 2023. In addition to education, Hungarian-Uzbek higher education cooperation also extends to joint research and development, as well as industrial and agricultural innovations, promoting mutually beneficial knowledge and technology transfer. It can be stated that virtually all leading Hungarian universities have active partnerships with at least one higher education institution in Uzbekistan.
Cultural and Scientific Cooperation
One of the important pillars of Hungarian-Uzbek relations is cultural and scientific cooperation, which is becoming closer year by year. The Uzbek Language and Culture Center operates in Budapest and has become one of the most important platforms for cultural dialogue. In addition, various events—such as Uzbek days, concerts, exhibitions, and traditional events—help to promote the values of each other's cultures. The historical and scientific ties between the two countries are well exemplified by the legacy of Ármin Vámbéry. The work of the renowned Hungarian orientalist, turcologist, and traveler in the 19th century was fundamental in introducing Central Asia, especially the Uzbek territories, to Europe, and it remains a point of reference in the cultural dialogue between the two peoples. In 2020, a major exhibition titled "Hungarian Dervish in Central Asia" opened in Budapest, showcasing Ármin Vámbéry's life and Central Asian discoveries with unique manuscripts, relics, and museum objects. In 2024, a monument to the Uzbek poet Alisher Navoi was unveiled in Lakitelek, created by Hungarian sculptor György Lantosh. In the same year, on the night of August 31, one of Budapest's most iconic buildings, the Fisherman's Bastion, was illuminated in the colors of the Uzbek flag to celebrate the 33rd anniversary of the Republic of Uzbekistan's independence. The event was organized by the Embassy of Uzbekistan in Hungary with the cooperation of OTP Bank. In a tradition-setting move, the first Uzbek Film Festival was held in Budapest in January 2025 at the Uránia Cinema, which showcased recent festival and successful films from the Uzbek film industry and screened a documentary recalling the figure of the orientalist Ármin Vámbéry. Cooperation between cultural institutions is also developing dynamically, with libraries, museums, art associations, and research institutes establishing increasingly close ties. There is growing interest from Hungary in the research and presentation of Turkic cultural heritage, which creates new opportunities for joint scientific and archaeological projects. I also had the opportunity to personally experience Uzbek hospitality.
Conclusion
Hungary and Uzbekistan have formed a strategic partnership that benefits both sides in all areas involved. It is not easy to overcome geographical distance, but the shared will has shown the world that anything is possible. Of course, there are still plenty of logistical, regulatory, and linguistic obstacles, but both sides are striving to further deepen relations, and the pillars of the strategic partnership are visibly solid. The potential for the future can give further strength to the alliance, and as the joint work bears fruit, new and valuable experiences and successes can be shown in more and more areas. The success of the cooperation between Uzbekistan and Hungary does not stop at their borders, as it can serve as an example for the EU and Central Asian countries, and a partnership can be launched in which the Uzbek-Hungarian model can form a good basis.
Source: HelloMagyar - Article published without changes: https://hellomagyar.hu/2025/06/10/uzbegisztan-magyarorszag-strategiai-szovetseg/?utm_source=hirstart&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=hiraggregator