Uzbekistan has completed bilateral talks with the Philippines on accession to the World Trade Organization. This was announced the President’s WTO Envoy, Azizbek Urunov, said on Sunday on his LinkedIn page.
The Philippines became the 23rd country with which Uzbekistan had completed bilateral discussions on joining the organization. Urunov and the Philippines ambassador to the WTO, Teehankee Manuel, signed the protocol at a meeting in Geneva on December 1. The ceremony was also attended by WTO Deputy Director General Zhang Xiangchen.
"I would like to thank one of the best ambassadors I know in Geneva for his engagement, support, and joint work to achieve this result. Special thanks to the Uzbek-Filipino negotiating teams - we did it together," Azizbek Urunov added.
The President’s WTO Envoy added that the Philippines was one of four countries with which Uzbekistan has completed negotiations over the past two months. The other 3 countries are El Salvador, the United States, and China.
Azizbek Urunov noted at the European Economy Days in Uzbekistan in early November that Tashkent will have to complete negotiations with Russia, the European Union, Great Britain, Switzerland and other countries.
At a meeting with business leaders in August, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev called joining the WTO "a thoughtful and far-sighted choice, as well as an integral part of reforms." Previously, the country's economy "to some extent needed protection," but if it continues down this path, Uzbekistan's opportunities will be limited, he said.
