Since 2017, the new leadership of Uzbekistan has been requesting a formal upgrade of the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA).

On 16 July 2018 the Council adopted the negotiation mandate for the opening of negotiations between the EU and Uzbekistan for an upgraded, Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (EPCA). This is a strong signal by the EU and by Uzbekistan of their common interest in strengthening their relations. A key policy objective of the decision of the Council to open negotiations and negotiate a comprehensive Agreement with the Republic of Uzbekistan is, by responding positively to this request, to recognise significant Uzbek efforts to reform the country, to respect human rights, to improve cooperation with neighbours and international partners, and to promote stability and security in the region. The EPCA should reinforce the status of the EU as an important partner of Uzbekistan. Negotiations are to be formally launched on 23 November 2018 in Brussels.

Pdt Mirziyoyev came to power in September 2016 and triggered numerous ambitious reforms, in particular to improve the business climate, the judicial system and security services, labour conditions, and administrative accountability and efficiency. The new leadership has also actively engaged with neighbouring countries to defuse tensions, in particular with Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan on border and water management issues (Rogun and Farkhad Dams in Tajikistan, Kambarata Dam in Kyrgyzstan), and border demarcation. Uzbekistan has also assumed an active role in the peace process in Afghanistan.

On 10 November 2017, Uzbekistan hosted in Samarkand the EU – Central Asia meeting of Foreign Ministers, where the European Union was represented by the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy & Vice-President of the European Commission, Federica Mogherini. The visit gave the parties another opportunity to discuss all subjects on the bilateral agenda (economy, connectivity, security, rule of law) as well as regional issues, to be further discussed at the 23 November 2018 EU – Central Asia ministerial meeting in Brussels  

On 26-27 March 2018, Tashkent hosted the Conference on Afghanistan: "Peace process, security cooperation and regional connectivity" where the EU High Representative Mogherini gave opening remarks. The event brought together Afghanistan, the five Central Asian countries, the United Nations and other stakeholders to support peace-making efforts in Afghanistan, as well as local and regional development.