Following the third meeting of the High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council held in Ankara, Presidents Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Recep Tayyip Erdoğan made statements for the media.
At the beginning of his speech, the Head of our state expressed sincere gratitude to his Turkish colleague for the invitation and fruitful negotiations within the Council.
It was emphasized that Türkiye, being the first country to recognize the independence of Uzbekistan, is a time-tested reliable partner of our country.
As the President of Uzbekistan particularly noted, under the leadership of Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, significant efforts are being made in Türkiye to improve the welfare of the people, strengthen the political, economic, and military power of the country, as well as its international authority and influence. Impressive infrastructure projects are being implemented.
– We, as sincere brothers and close friends, not only rejoice at these achievements of the Turkish people but are also proud of them. Our goals and aspirations coincide, – said Shavkat Mirziyoyev.
The historical significance of today’s high-level meetings was noted, resulting in the signing of the Declaration on Deepening Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Relations.
The Leaders identified priority areas of mutually beneficial cooperation and set guidelines for the future. Decisions were made to regularly hold Council meetings, activate political dialogue, and effectively use the mechanism of the Intergovernmental Commission.
– We are building new, even stronger bridges of cooperation. Undoubtedly, today’s meeting of the Uzbek-Turkish Strategic Cooperation Council opens a new page in the history of our relations. The high-level dialogue format between our countries is a testament to mutual trust and respect.
The positive dynamics of trade and economic interaction were highlighted.
In recent years, the volume of mutual trade has increased 1,5 times, the number of joint ventures – 2 times, and investments – 2,5 times. Ninety flights are operated weekly between the cities of the two countries.
Today, leading Turkish companies are actively operating in the Uzbekistan market. More than 100 projects are being successfully implemented with the participation of Turkish businesses. During this visit, a portfolio of promising projects worth US $10 billion was formed.
The parties agreed to systematically work on increasing the volume of mutual trade to US $5 billion, expanding the range of supplies, deepening industrial cooperation, jointly entering third-country markets, creating new growth points, and special industrial clusters.
A mutual desire to elevate partnership in energy, mining, electrical engineering, textile, construction, agriculture, food, and pharmaceutical industries, healthcare, tourism, education, and culture to a qualitatively new level was expressed.
The governments of the two countries were instructed to determine specific measures for the development of logistics and transit capabilities, effective use of existing transport corridors, and activation of business ties.
The Head of our state announced the decision to establish a joint Business Council, the first meeting of which took place today under the chairmanship of the Leaders of the two states.
A detailed exchange of views on current regional issues took place.
Commitment to continued close cooperation and mutual support on the international stage, including within the framework of the UN, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, and the Organization of Turkic States, was confirmed.
The Presidents once again emphasized the importance of a prompt cessation of violence in the Gaza Strip and the beginning of a peaceful resolution of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.
– For a stable and long-term peace, the creation of an independent and Free State of Palestine is necessary, – said the Head of our state.
The parties expressed a unified opinion on the need to promote the truly humanistic essence of Islam, combat Islamophobia and radicalism, and effectively use the invaluable spiritual heritage of such great thinkers as Imam Bukhari, Imam Tirmidhi, Imam Maturidi, Abdulkholik Gijduvani, and Bahauddin Naqshband, who were born and raised on Uzbek soil and are highly revered in the Muslim world.
Special attention in the negotiations was paid to the further development of cultural and humanitarian exchange. In order to bring our peoples closer, it was agreed to hold mutual culture weeks, forums on education and medicine, exhibitions, and to increase tourist flow.
A separate “road map” will be developed for the full and timely implementation of all agreements reached.