Globalization and strategies for developing bilateral relations between countries reveal new areas of cooperation today. There is also an increasing rapprochement between Central Asian and Middle Eastern countries. In addition to the increasing interest of the capital-bearing Gulf countries such as the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia in Central Asia, Israel also tends to develop cooperation with the countries of the region. There is an increasing interest in Israel among the countries of the region.
An Israeli delegation headed by the Minister of Water of Uzbekistan Shavkat Khamraev visited Uzbekistan on 21-23 May 2023. The said visit is a first in the history of diplomatic relations between the two countries. During the meetings, views were exchanged on the development of the modern water sector, promising areas of cooperation, and examining Israel’s best practices. During the visit, Minister Khamraev met with Israel Katz, Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, and Avi Dichter, Minister of Agriculture and Local Development. In addition, the intention of the International Development Cooperation Agency Mashav to open an expert office on agriculture and water management in Uzbekistan has been announced.[1]
It is seen that the ties and cooperation between the parties are mostly realized through Mashav. Mashav has a great role and contribution in the current dialogue and partnerships. Various projects are being implemented between this development cooperation institution and Israel and Uzbekistan.
In 2023, when the 30th anniversary of bilateral relations is celebrated, the governments of Uzbekistan and Israel focus on evaluating new cooperation opportunities. In addition, the two countries accelerated the talks on bilateral cooperation in the fields of politics, diplomacy, economy and culture. In addition, it is known that intergovernmental coalition studies are also carried out. In May 2023, the establishment of the Uzbekistan-Israel Chamber of Commerce was also on the agenda. Uzbekistan’s Ambassador to Israel, Ms. Feruza Makhmudova, stated that the aforementioned formation would be “an important and special step in bringing the business circles of the countries closer together”.[2]
Uzbekistan, one of the Central Asian countries acting with the strategy of attracting foreign investment, also attaches importance to the position of Israeli investors in the business world of Uzbekistan. It is known that Tel Aviv attaches importance to investments in Uzbekistan. Tashkent International Investment Forum held on 24-26 March 2023 had an effect that strengthened the commercial ties between the two actors in this sense. However, cooperation opportunities between the parties cover various fields from education to the health sector. Israel also transfers to Uzbekistan on the development of agricultural infrastructure. The visit within the scope of the modern water sector cooperation is also important in this sense.
On the other hand, it is possible to state that cooperation in the field of water and irrigation is the basic dynamic of bilateral relations. Throughout Uzbekistan, Israeli influence can be seen in drip irrigation system, water storage methods and technologies. This effect is also reflected in bilateral trade. In 2022, the trade volume between the two countries, including the agricultural technologies sector, reached 40 billion dollars.[3]
Israel also brings technology transfer to the agenda in bilateral cooperation to a large extent. In the relations it has developed with Uzbekistan, it focuses on deepening partnerships by sharing its experience and capacity in the field of agriculture and irrigation and technological developments in other cooperation sectors. Especially after the Abraham Agreements signed in 2020, Israel’s ties with Uzbekistan, which revised its relations with Muslim-majority countries, date back to the past. However, factors such as the developments that will change both the agreement and the regional balances and the effects of the energy crisis have also increased the intention to strengthen bilateral relations.
As a visa-free country, it is possible to predict that the value of Uzbekistan will increase even more for Israeli officials and investors. Tashkent has increased its international prestige and improved its bilateral relations. It also takes an active stance on regional issues and aims to be a leader in Central Asia. It can be said that Tel Aviv sees Tashkent as a leader. Comprehensive dialogue initiatives and cooperation steps confirm this. In May 2022, the seventh round of bilateral diplomatic consultations was held between the parties. In this meeting, mutual intentions to strengthen existing ties were declared. It is possible to see the steps taken today as the product of this cooperation idea.
However, it can be said that the Jewish community, which is mostly found in Samarkand and Bukhara, has increased the closeness between the two actors. The Jewish diaspora, numbering several hundred, is the main actor of cultural cooperation between Uzbekistan and Israel. It is also recorded that there are 3,000 Jews in Tashkent.[4] It is also stated in the sources that there are a total of 4,200 Jews in these three cities today.[5] Mutual visits also provide benefits in terms of tourism cooperation and cultural ties.
As a result, it is seen that the cooperation and closeness between Israel and Uzbekistan will continue to increase. There are effective factors that will strengthen the bilateral partnership. It is understood that especially the issue of water and agricultural cooperation will play a decisive role in Uzbekistan-Israel relations. As mentioned, Israel is preparing to open an agriculture and water expertise office in Uzbekistan. In addition, it is possible to predict that the closeness of Israel-Uzbekistan will increase in relation to the solution of the drought problem in the regions near the Aral Sea. It is seen that the Tashkent Government trusts Tel Aviv’s methods and technology in this regard. Studies are carried out in this direction through the Ministry of Agriculture of Uzbekistan.[6] In this context, it is likely that activities will be carried out to attract Israeli experts and investments in the country.
It is expected that the issue of water supply, sharing and supply will be the main and dominant factor in the international relations of the future. At this point, it is understood that the cooperation between Israel and Uzbekistan is very important for Tashkent. Therefore, it can be said that new cooperation mechanisms will also focus on this area.
[1] “Uzbekistan and Israel Discuss Prospects for Mutual Cooperation in the Field of Water Management”, Uz Daily, https://www.uzdaily.uz/en/post/81177, (Date of Accession: 27.05.2023).
[2] “Uzbekistan and Israel are strengthening their relationship”, Jerusalem Post, https://www.jpost.com/business-and-innovation/article-705377, (Date of Accession: 27.05.2023).
[3] “Israel tightens ties with Uzbekistan”, Al Monitor, https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2022/07/israel-tightens-ties-uzbekistan, (Date of Accession: 27.05.2023).
[4] “The Jerusalem Post: Uzbekistan: Warm welcomes and Jewish communities on the Silk Road”, Uzbekistan Travel, https://uzbekistan.travel/en/o/jerusalem-post-uzbekistan-warm-welcomes-and-jewish-communities-silk-road/, (Date of Accession: 27.05.2023).
[5] “Dıscoverıng A Tımeless Legacy: The Story Behınd Jewısh Samarkand, Uzbekıstan”, World Jewish Travel, https://www.worldjewishtravel.org/listing/discovering-a-timeless-legacy-the-story-behind-jewish-samarkand-uzbekistan/, (Date of Accession: 27.05.2023).
[6] “Uzbekistan Counts on Israel’s Help in Solving Problem of Drought in Regions Near Aral Sea – Ministry”, Trend, https://en.trend.az/casia/uzbekistan/3733802.html, (Date of Accession: 27.05.2023).
