DUSHANBE, September 10. /Dunyo IA/. Research Fellow at the Institute of Philosophy, Political Science and Law of the National Academy of Sciences of Tajikistan Viktor Kim commented for Dunyo IA on the outcomes of the official visit of the President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev to Serbia on September 7–8^th:

- Visit of the President of Uzbekistan to Serbia carries a significance that extends well beyond bilateral relations. It should be viewed as part of Tashkent's broader strategy to strengthen its positions within the Eurasian space and develop partnerships extending from Central Asia to Southern Europe.

In the context of a changing global security and trade architecture, Uzbekistan is consistently shaping its own foreign policy model based on the diversification of partnerships and the advancement of national interests.

For Uzbekistan, Serbia represents an important western vector and a potential link on the path to the markets of Southeastern Europe. For Serbia, cooperation with Tashkent opens up opportunities to strengthen its positions in Central Asia. At the same time, Belgrade's independent and multi-vector approach to foreign policy is largely attuned to the approach of modern Uzbekistan.

Development of transport connectivity is becoming one of the key elements of Tashkent's strategy. Uzbekistan is consistently developing East-West routes connecting China through Central Asia with the Caspian region, the Black Sea and European markets. Cooperation with Serbia can complement this system and create new opportunities for Uzbek businesses and products to access Europe.

At the same time, this entails not only logistics, but also industrial cooperation, investment and the establishment of new production ties. Serbia could potentially serve as a vital link in the broader economic and transport architecture connecting Central Asia with the European area.

In a broader sense, visit reflects the evolving role of Central Asia in international relations. The region is increasingly asserting itself as an independent actor, capable of shaping its own agenda, initiating major projects, and building an equitable dialogue with states across Europe and Asia.

Thus, the partnership with Serbia provides Uzbekistan with an opportunity to expand the geography of its trade, investment, and transport routes, thereby reinforcing the country’s role in the emerging Eurasian economic system.