President Shavkat Mirziyoyev of Uzbekistan embarked on a landmark three-day official visit to Hungary, underscoring a deepening strategic partnership between the two nations. The visit, which coincides with Hungary’s hosting of the informal summit of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS), highlights Uzbekistan’s growing role in bridging Central Asia and Europe while advancing multilateral diplomacy.
A journey from formal ties to strategic partnership
Diplomatic relations between Uzbekistan and Hungary were established in 1992, shortly after Uzbekistan’s independence. For decades, interactions remained largely ceremonial until a pivotal shift in March 2021, when Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s visit to Tashkent culminated in a Joint Declaration on Strategic Partnership. This agreement laid the groundwork for elevated cooperation across politics, economics, and culture.
President Mirziyoyev’s reciprocal visit to Budapest in October 2022 further solidified this bond, yielding 16 bilateral agreements spanning industrial collaboration, academic exchanges, and healthcare. The accompanying Uzbek-Hungarian business forum attracted over 200 companies, signaling mutual interest in expanding trade and investment.
Political synergy and institutional frameworks
The political dialogue between Tashkent and Budapest is characterized by dynamism and institutional depth. Over 50 bilateral agreements now underpin the relationship, including treaties on investment protection, scientific innovation, and water management. Inter-parliamentary cooperation, formalized through groups established in 2020, has strengthened legislative alignment and shared approaches to global challenges.
Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó’s recent visit to Uzbekistan further reinforced ties, with a 2024–2026 Cooperation Program signed to coordinate diplomatic efforts. “Our partnership transcends geography,” Szijjártó remarked. “It is rooted in mutual respect and strategic foresight.”
Economic Momentum: Trade, Investment, and Innovation
Bilateral trade, though modest at $78 million in 2023, is growing steadily, with a 25% increase recorded in early 2024. Key sectors include pharmaceuticals, agriculture, and water technology, with 17 Hungarian-linked enterprises now operational in Uzbekistan. Notable projects include:
- Special Industrial Zone: A Hungarian-led manufacturing hub in the Angren Free Economic Zone, backed by a 2023 investment agreement.
- Uzbek-Hungarian Development Fund: Launched in 2022, it has financed €100 million in projects, from agri-tech modernization to digital infrastructure.
- Banking Sector Reform: OTP Bank’s acquisition of Uzbekistan’s Ipoteka-Bank marks Hungary’s entry into Central Asia’s financial landscape.
Prime Minister Orbán has hailed Uzbekistan as “a gateway to Central Asian markets,” while Hungarian firms like Richter Gedeon and Bonafarm leverage Uzbek partnerships to expand regional footprints.
Cultural and Humanitarian Bridges
Cultural diplomacy forms the soul of Uzbek-Hungarian relations. The legacy of Ármin Vámbéry, the 19th-century Hungarian explorer who documented Central Asia, remains a touchstone. In 2024, a monument to Uzbek poet Alisher Navoi was unveiled in Lakitelek, symbolizing enduring intellectual ties.
Educational collaboration thrives through programs like Stipendium Hungaricum, offering 170 annual scholarships to Uzbek students. The University of Debrecen and Semmelweis University host Uzbek scholars in medicine and engineering, while Tashkent’s Uzbek-Hungarian Cultural Center promotes linguistic and artistic exchange.
Cinematic diplomacy also flourishes; the 2025 Days of Uzbek Cinema in Budapest drew acclaim, showcasing Uzbekistan’s vibrant film industry. “Culture is our compass,” said Hungarian Minister of Culture János Csák. “It guides us to shared values.”
Multilateral Vision: The Turkic Connection
Hungary’s observer status in the OTS since 2018 complements Uzbekistan’s active membership, creating synergies in transport, energy, and digital innovation. The Budapest OTS summit provides a platform to advance initiatives like the Trans-Caspian Trade Corridor, linking Europe to Central Asia.
“Hungary is a bridge between East and West,” President Mirziyoyev noted. “Together, we can reshape Eurasia’s economic geography.”
Looking Ahead: A New Chapter in Partnership
President Mirziyoyev’s visit aims to cement recent gains and chart future collaboration. Priorities include:
- Energy Security: Joint ventures in renewable energy, leveraging Hungary’s expertise in solar and biogas.
- Tech Innovation: A proposed AI research hub in Tashkent, backed by Hungarian startups.
- Tourism: Visa facilitation and heritage tourism campaigns targeting Silk Road sites.
As global dynamics shift, Uzbekistan and Hungary exemplify how mid-sized powers can leverage strategic alignment to amplify influence. Their partnership, blending pragmatism with cultural affinity, offers a model for cross-continental cooperation in an era of fragmentation.
Conclusion
From the corridors of Budapest to the plains of Samarkand, Uzbekistan and Hungary are crafting a partnership defined by ambition and mutual respect. As President Mirziyoyev engages with OTS leaders this week, the world watches a nation poised to balance its Turkic heritage with European aspirations—a testament to diplomacy’s power in an interconnected age.
Dunyo IA
