BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 1. Uzbekistan has
reaffirmed its interest in expanding trade and investment
cooperation with the South American trade bloc Mercosur, noting new
opportunities for economic partnership within the World Trade
Organization (WTO) frameworks.


This is stated in a press release issued by the Senate of the
Oliy Majlis following the visit of an Uzbek delegation to the
MERCOSUR Leaders’ Summit in Paraguay, led by Sodiq Safoyev, First
Deputy Chairman of the Senate of the Oliy Majlis.


The meeting marked the 35th anniversary of the Treaty of
Asunción, which established Mercosur in 1991 as South America's
largest regional economic bloc.


According to Uzbekistan's Senate, summit participants discussed
the development of the services sector, transport and logistics
infrastructure, trade diplomacy, and Paraguay's growing role as a
regional logistics and trade hub connecting South America with
global markets.


Addressing the plenary session, Safoyev highlighted Uzbekistan's
progress toward joining the WTO and emphasized the country's
commitment to strengthening economic ties with Mercosur.


"Uzbekistan is interested in further expanding cooperation with
the Mercosur countries in trade and investment, agriculture, food
security, green energy, transport and logistics, education,
science, tourism, and cultural and humanitarian exchanges," the
Senate said, citing Safoyev's remarks.







On the sidelines of the summit, Uzbek officials also discussed
opportunities to deepen bilateral cooperation with Paraguay.


The talks focused on increasing trade volumes, improving market
access, and launching joint projects in agriculture, energy,
mining, chemicals, and the textile industry.


"The parties also discussed the establishment of an
intergovernmental commission and the development of an industrial
cooperation program to support long-term economic partnership," the
Senate said in a statement.


Mercosur's member countries - Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay,
Uruguay, and Bolivia - represent a market of approximately 300
million people with a combined gross domestic product of nearly $3
trillion, making the bloc one of the world's largest regional
economic groupings.


Uzbekistan has intensified its engagement with Latin America in
recent years as part of a broader strategy to diversify export
markets, attract foreign investment, and strengthen economic ties
beyond its traditional trading partners. Officials said closer
cooperation with Mercosur could open new opportunities for Uzbek
exporters and enhance connectivity between Central Asia and South
America.