Uzbekistan appoints new ambassador to Turkey

Ilhom Haydarov, the newly appointed Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Uzbekistan to the Republic of Turkey, arrived in Ankara on June 16. This was reported by the Dunyo news agency.

In the afternoon, Ambassador Haydarov presented copies of his credentials to Ahmet Cemil Miroğlu, Head of the Protocol Department at the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

During the meeting, both sides discussed the prospects for further strengthening bilateral relations based on a comprehensive strategic partnership and expanding cooperation within international organizations. Particular attention was given to the upcoming participation of the Uzbek delegation in the 51st session of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, scheduled to be held in Istanbul on June 21–22.

The parties also considered the organization of mutual visits and joint events at various levels, including political consultations between the foreign ministries of the two countries.

“Views were exchanged on the development of trade and economic cooperation, increasing contact between business circles, and expanding cultural, humanitarian, and tourism ties,” the report said.

Ahmet Cemil Miroğlu wished the new ambassador success in his diplomatic mission and expressed readiness to support efforts to establish direct cooperation with the Foreign Economic Relations Board (DEIK) in Istanbul.

For reference, 56-year-old Ilhom Haydarov has served as Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan since July 2024. He is a graduate of Tashkent State University (now the National University of Uzbekistan), the Russian Academy of Foreign Trade, and the International Cotton School in Memphis, USA.

He previously worked in the Ministry of Foreign Economic Relations (now the Ministry of Investments, Industry, and Trade), served in foreign diplomatic missions as a trade and economic advisor, and was Uzbekistan’s ambassador to Ukraine.

From 2009 to 2015, Haydarov headed the Uzbek Industry State Joint-Stock Company (now the Textile and Sewing and Knitting Industry Association). He also served as Chairman of the Confederation of Employers of Uzbekistan from 2021 to 2024.

He replaces Alisher Agzamkhodjayev, who has been elected Chairman of the Senate Committee on International Relations, Foreign Economic Relations, Foreign Investments, and Tourism. Agzamkhodjayev served as Uzbekistan’s ambassador to Turkey from 2017 to 2025 and concurrently as ambassador to Bulgaria since 2018.

As a reminder, earlier this month, Ravshan Usmanov, the newly appointed Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Uzbekistan to Ireland (based in London), presented copies of his credentials to Ralph Victory, Head of the Protocol Department at Ireland’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.