Third meeting of the Uzbekistan-Turkey Strategic Cooperation Council takes place

The third meeting of the Uzbekistan-Turkey High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council was chaired by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev of Uzbekistan and President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan of Turkey, according to the President's press service.

President Mirziyoyev expressed his appreciation to President Erdoğan and the Turkish people for their hospitality and warm reception. He noted that this meeting coincides with the eve of Eid al-Adha and the 32nd anniversary of diplomatic relations between Uzbekistan and Turkey.

"The formation of the strategic cooperation council marked a new chapter in Uzbekistan-Turkey relations, significantly boosting the development of our partnership in all areas," stated Mirziyoyev.

Political dialogue, inter-parliamentary relations, and cultural-humanitarian exchanges are thriving, while trade, economic, and investment cooperation is becoming increasingly active.

Recently, mutual trade has grown by 1.5 times, the number of joint ventures has doubled, and Turkish investments in Uzbekistan's economy have increased by 2.5 times. There are now 90 weekly flights between major cities in both countries and the number of tourists from Turkey has tripled.

In the near term, the goal is to increase bilateral trade to $5 billion.

Currently, over 100 projects in Uzbekistan are successfully implemented by leading Turkish companies such as "Cengiz Holding", "Aksa Energy", "Çalık Holding", "Akay Inşaat", "Anadolu Group", "Özgüven", and "Eczacıbaşı Holding". During this visit, a portfolio of new investment projects worth $10 billion was established.

To further enhance bilateral trade and economic cooperation, emphasis was placed on strengthening industrial cooperation, localizing high-value-added production, and jointly accessing third-country markets.

Additionally, it highlighted the importance of reducing customs tariffs and opening a trade representative office of Uzbekistan in Istanbul as part of the preferential trade agreement.

The meeting underscored the need to adopt Turkey's advanced experience and public-private partnership mechanisms in agriculture, water management, healthcare digitization, and the establishment of medical clusters.

Another key area of cooperation is to enhance the transport and logistics potential of both countries, including the effective utilization of the Middle Corridor.

Special focus was given to advancing cooperation in higher, professional, and technical education, organizing theater festivals and cultural weeks, co-producing historical films, and expanding collaboration in the restoration of cultural heritage sites.

The parties welcomed the adoption of a declaration aimed at deepening cooperation across all areas and the establishment of the Uzbekistan-Turkey Business Council, led by the two countries' leaders.

Following the meeting, the governments were instructed to approve a joint "roadmap" for implementing the agreed decisions.

In conclusion, President Mirziyoyev invited President Erdoğan to visit Uzbekistan for the next council meeting.