Uzbekistan And WTO Cooperation: Trade Liberalization and Balancing National Interests

This article examines Uzbekistan's ongoing accession process to the World Trade Organization (WTO) and its implications for trade liberalization and the protection of national interests. As Uzbekistan deepens its integration into the global economy under President Shavkat Mirziyoyev's reform agenda, WTO membership has emerged as a central pillar of the country's foreign economic policy. The article analyzes the historical trajectory of Uzbekistan's WTO negotiations, identifies the key sectors affected by trade liberalization commitments, and assesses the legislative, regulatory, and institutional reforms required for compliance with WTO norms. Drawing on international trade law, comparative experience of post-Soviet WTO members, and Uzbek domestic legal frameworks, the article argues that successful WTO accession demands a carefully calibrated balance between market openness and the preservation of strategic national interests. Special attention is given to agriculture, intellectual property, services, and customs regulation as priority areas. The article concludes with policy recommendations for ensuring that Uzbekistan's integration into the multilateral trading system yields sustainable economic and legal benefits.

WTO accession, trade liberalization, national interests

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