Confirming friendly relations between the two countries,

Being aware of the importance and significance of continuing and strengthening the existing economic relations,

Wishing to support the development of their economic cooperation based on equality and mutual benefit,

Pursuant to the national legislation of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Slovak Republic,

Taking into account their international obligations,

Have agreed as follows:

1.1 The purpose of the Agreement is to develop and intensify economic cooperation between the Contracting Parties based on equality and mutual benefits and in accordance with the national legislation of the States of the Contracting Parties.

1.2 The Contracting Parties shall carry out their economic and trade relations based on respect for each otherʼs sovereignty and territorial integrity.

1.3 The Cooperation shall include, but not be limited to the following areas:

a) Industry and Construction industry,

b) Transport and Logistics,

c) Investment,

d) Innovation,

e) Energy and Mining industry,

f) Tourism,

g) Small and Medium Enterprises,

h) Standardization, Metrology and Conformity Assessment,

i) Agriculture and Forestry,

j) Environmental Protection and Water Management,

k) Telecommunications and Information Technology,

1) Other areas of economic cooperation based on mutual interest.

2.1 The Contracting Parties shall:

a) Take all necessary measures for the development of economic cooperation between the two countries,

b) Take all necessary measures for the exchange of information on the economic situation, in both countries, on regulations, economic programs, business and other relevant information of mutual interest,

c) Identify problems that hinder bilateral economic cooperation and propose measures for resolving these problems.

2.2 The Contracting Parties shall:

a) Encourage investment activities, economic cooperation, the establishment of joint ventures, the opening of representative offices and branches of companies on the territory of both countries,

b) Encourage the participation of private sectors of both countries in international fairs and exhibitions, which will be held in both countries,

c) Support and encourage the exchange of visits of business delegations,

d) Encourage relevant regional and local entities, professional chambers, business associations and the private sector to explore the existing possibilities within the realization of projects in various areas of economic cooperation.

3.1 The Contracting Parties shall establish the Uzbek — Slovak Joint Commission on Economic Cooperation (hereinafter referred to as “the Joint Commission”) consisting of representatives of relevant authorities of the Contracting Parties to coordinate and promote bilateral economic cooperation.

3.2 The Joint Commission shall coordinate and develop economic cooperation by:

a) Following up on the implementation of the objectives of this Agreement;

b) Developing cooperation in the fields specified in this Agreement or otherwise agreed upon later between the Contracting Parties;

c) Working out recommendations to remove obstacles that may arise during the execution of any agreement and project that may be established by this Agreement.

3.3 The Joint Commission shall meet as needed, alternatively in both countries at the request of one of the Contracting Parties and with the acceptance of the other Contracting Party.

3.4 Each Contracting Party shall designate a Chairman on its part (referred to as "Co-chair") and each Co-chair shall designate a Secretary for the respective part of the Joint Commission.

3.5 The date and the agenda of the meeting shall be proposed by the hosting Contracting Party whose Secretary shall be in charge of the preparation of the protocol.

3.6 Each Contracting Party shall cover the cost of its delegations concerning the meetings of the Joint Commission.

3.7 Within the Joint Commission, working groups will be created that will deal with selected areas of cooperation, listed in Article 1 Paragraph 1.3 of this Agreement.

4.1 This Agreement shall not affect any rights and obligations arising from international agreements in force, concluded by the Slovak Republic or the Republic of Uzbekistan with third parties as well as rights and obligations arising from the membership of both countries in international organizations.

4.2 This Agreement shall apply without prejudice to the obligations arising from the membership of the Slovak Republic in the European Union. Therefore, the provisions of this Agreement may not be interpreted or implemented in such a way as to cancel or otherwise affect the obligations under the Treaty on the European Union.

Any disagreement arising from the interpretation or implementation of this Agreement shall be settled between the Contracting Parties by negotiations and consultations through diplomatic channels.

This Agreement may be amended by written mutual consent of the Contracting Parties. Such amendments shall be made in a form of separate protocols being an integral part of this Agreement and shall enter into force in accordance with Article 7 of this Agreement.

7.1 This Agreement shall enter into force on the 30th (thirtieth) day after the date of receipt of the last written notification by the Contracting Parties through diplomatic channels confirming the completion of their respective internal procedures required for the entry into force of this Agreement.

7.2 This Agreement is concluded for a period of 5 (five) years and shall remain in force automatically thereafter for the next five-year periods unless either of the Contracting Party at least 6 (six) months in advance notifies through diplomatic channels the other Contracting Party in written of its intention to terminate this Agreement.

7.3 On the date of entry into force of this Agreement, the Agreement on Trade-Economic and Scientific-Technical Cooperation between the Government of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Government of the Slovak Republic, signed in Tashkent on May 16, 1995, and the Additional Provisions No. 1 to this Agreement, signed in Bratislava on December 23, 1997, shall cease to apply to mutual relations between the Slovak Republic and the Republic of Uzbekistan.

Done ai New York on September 24, 2024. in two original copies each in the Uzbek, Slovak and English languages, with all texts being equally authentic.

In case of any divergence in interpretation of this Agreement, the English text shall prevail.