President Shavkat Mirziyoyev of Uzbekistan and President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Türkiye held a narrow-format meeting at the Presidential Palace in Ankara. The leaders exchanged warm congratulations ahead of the upcoming Eid al-Adha holiday, significant to the entire Muslim Ummah.
During their discussions, they focused on enhancing the comprehensive strategic partnership between Uzbekistan and Türkiye, emphasizing cooperation in political, trade-economic, and cultural-humanitarian spheres. Both leaders expressed satisfaction with the current high level of bilateral interaction, noting the ongoing intensive contacts and exchanges at all levels.
The meeting highlighted the growth in mutual trade turnover and investment, the increase in joint projects and enterprises, and the rising frequency of flights and cultural events. On the eve of the visit, a successful business forum resulted in a solid portfolio of new projects in various sectors, including industry, green energy, electrical engineering, textiles, pharmaceuticals, agriculture, and public-private partnerships.
The governments were tasked with increasing trade turnover to $5 billion by expanding the list of products under the Preferential Trade Agreement. An agreement was also reached to establish a trade mission of Uzbekistan in Istanbul.
Both leaders expressed satisfaction with the decision to establish an Uzbek-Turkish Business Council, chaired by the heads of the two states, with its first meeting scheduled for today. They also discussed expanding partnerships in agriculture, water resources management, and digitalization.
The leaders emphasized the need for stronger coordination in security and defense, countering terrorism, extremism, and radicalism. They agreed to continue active cultural and humanitarian exchanges, focusing on cooperation in education, healthcare, tourism, and sports, and creating favorable conditions for mutual travel of citizens.
Mirziyoyev and Erdogan also discussed regional and international issues, particularly the situation in Afghanistan.
