Today, the President Shavkat Mirziyoyev hosted his new international consultants Alfred Gusenbauer, Alexander Kwasniewski and Stefan Fule, the presidential press service said.

The consultants main priority will be to assist in the development and expansion of cooperation between Uzbekistan and the EU states, study and implement foreign experience in the Uzbekistan reforms, improving the investment climate and business environment, help to draw direct investments and technologies in the Uzbek economy, forming effective mechanisms and tools for partnership with European business circles.

The involved consultants held high government posts and have experience in leading consulting, investment and industrial companies.

Alfred Gusenbauer, founder of the consulting company Gusenbauer Projektentwicklung & Beteiligung, was Federal Chancellor of Austria in the 2000s. Alexander Kwasniewski, head of the Amicus Europae Foundation, is the ex-president of Poland. Stefan Füle, now an advisor to CITIC Europe Holdings, has served as the EU Commissioner for Enlargement and Neighborhood Policy.

The parties discussed the recommendations of consultants on the preparation of a long-term strategy for economic reforms and improvement of governance in Uzbekistan, expansion of mutually beneficial relations of Uzbekistan with foreign partners.

The parties reportedly focused on increasing transparency and improving the investment climate, widespread introduction of market mechanisms and the formation of a competitive environment, the development of the banking and financial sector and the capital market.

The sides also confirmed the priority nature of maintaining the current high level of cooperation between Uzbekistan and the EU and the early adoption of the expanded partnership and cooperation agreement, as well as support for the country's accession to the World Trade Organization.

The parties reviewed the mechanisms of interaction in matters of trade liberalization and elimination of barriers that prevent the growth of mutual trade and investment, and ensuring access to the market.

Following the meeting, an agreement was reached to continue cooperation and active exchanges.