Ankara (TDI): Uzbekistan’s President Shavkat Mirziyoyev paid an official visit to Turkiye at the invitation of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, marking a new phase in the deepening partnership between the two countries.
The visit centered on the fourth meeting of the High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council, co-chaired by the two leaders in Ankara.
During the meeting, the presidents discussed ways to strengthen the comprehensive strategic partnership, focusing on political dialogue, trade and economic cooperation, transport connectivity, and cultural and humanitarian exchanges. They also exchanged views on regional and global developments, highlighting the growing alignment between Tashkent and Ankara on international platforms.
Both sides noted steady growth in bilateral trade, an increasing number of joint ventures, and expanded direct flight connections. Regular cultural exchanges and growing people-to-people contacts were cited as further evidence of the strengthening relationship.
Looking ahead, the two countries identified key areas for cooperation, including joint projects in industry, agriculture, and social protection, alongside enhanced collaboration in defense, security, and cybercrime prevention.
The timing of the meeting was described as symbolic, taking place on the eve of Ramadan and ahead of the 30th anniversary of the Treaty on Eternal Friendship and Cooperation between Uzbekistan and Turkiye. Both leaders expressed satisfaction with the increasing political dialogue and the alignment of their positions on many international issues.
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The presidents reaffirmed their commitment to mutual support in regional and international organizations, including the United Nations, the Organization of Turkic States, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, and the Economic Cooperation Organization. Inter-parliamentary ties have also intensified, particularly through parliamentary friendship groups.
A major outcome of the meeting was the joint target to increase bilateral trade turnover to $5 billion in the coming years. Expanding the list of goods under the Preferential Trade Agreement was highlighted as a key step toward achieving this goal. Priority areas for industrial cooperation were identified and will be implemented under a separate program.
The leaders also emphasized the potential for interregional collaboration, with delegations from all regions of Uzbekistan expected to visit Turkiye later this year to explore joint projects. Cooperation is set to deepen in agriculture, horticulture, healthcare, and medical tourism.
Cultural and tourism links will also be strengthened through initiatives such as theater festivals, cultural weeks, historical film productions, and heritage restoration projects. In education, the fourth Rectors’ Forum will be held in Bukhara this spring.
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Following the Strategic Council meeting, Presidents Mirziyoyev and Erdoğan signed a Joint Statement and adopted a framework for cooperation under the comprehensive strategic partnership. A broad package of bilateral agreements was also signed, covering healthcare, education, military medicine, economic and financial cooperation, mining, transport corridors, special economic zones, nuclear safety, migration, religious affairs, foreign ministry collaboration for 2026–2027, light industry, and cultural projects.
At the conclusion of the visit, President Mirziyoyev extended an official invitation to President Erdoğan to visit Uzbekistan, underscoring the growing trust and continued momentum in bilateral relations.
