What happened
The EU is taking a formal negotiating position on whether Uzbekistan should be allowed to join the World Trade Organization, a global body that sets rules for international commerce. This is an internal EU coordination step—the bloc is aligning its member states on what terms and conditions, if any, it will accept for Uzbekistan's membership.
Why it matters
Uzbekistan's WTO accession has been pending for over two decades; this EU decision suggests momentum toward closure on one of the longest-running membership applications, which could reshape trade patterns in Central Asia and reduce barriers between the EU and a major regional player.