The fourth meeting of the High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council between Uzbekistan and Turkey was held under the co-chairmanship of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev of Uzbekistan and President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey, on January 29.
The meeting was noted as symbolically notable, taking place during the holy month of Ramadan and on the eve of the 30th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty on Eternal Friendship and Cooperation between the two countries.
During the session, both sides highlighted the rapid development of political dialogue and emphasized that their positions on international issues remain closely aligned. It was agreed to continue mutual support within international organizations, including the United Nations, the Organization of Turkic States, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, and the Economic Cooperation Organization. Inter-parliamentary relations, particularly through friendship groups, have also become more active.
Economic cooperation was a key focus of the meeting. Both parties noted steady growth in the volume of bilateral trade, as well as an increasing number of joint ventures and projects with leading Turkish companies. The governments set a target to increase trade turnover to $5bn in the coming years, including through the expansion of goods listed under the Preferential Trade Agreement. New priority areas of industrial cooperation were developed as part of preparation for implementation under a dedicated program.
The meeting also underscored the potential of interregional cooperation. Delegations from all regions of Uzbekistan are scheduled to visit Turkey by the end of the year to develop project portfolios with Turkish regional partners. Cooperation in agriculture, horticulture, healthcare, and medical tourism was emphasized, including the introduction of Turkish best practices in these areas.
Cultural and tourism initiatives were also discussed. The parties noted plans for theater festivals, cultural weeks, joint production of historical films, and the collaborative restoration of cultural heritage sites. In the field of education, it was agreed that the fourth Rectors' Forum would be held in Bukhara in spring 2026.
The co-chairs of the Joint Intergovernmental Commission presented reports on promising areas of multifaceted cooperation.
In addition, a set of bilateral agreements was signed, covering a broad spectrum of areas within the multifaceted partnership, including:
- Intergovernmental agreements on collaboration in healthcare, education, and military medicine;
- Agreements on economic and financial cooperation;
- Cooperation in the mining sector;
- Development of international transport corridors;
- Collaboration in special economic zones;
- Information exchange and cooperation on nuclear safety, physical protection, safeguards, and radiation protection;
- Measures to facilitate migration and repatriation of citizens;
- Interaction between Uzbekistan’s Committee on Religious Affairs and Turkiye’s Presidency of Religious Affairs;
- A 2026–2027 Cooperation Program between the Ministries of Foreign Affairs;
- A protocol between Uzbekistan’s Agency for the Development of Light Industry and Turkiye’s Council of Higher Education;
- A Cultural Cooperation Plan for 2026–2027.
Following the discussions, the governments of both countries were instructed to approve a “roadmap” for implementing the decisions made during the meeting. President Mirziyoyev extended an invitation to President Erdogan to visit Uzbekistan.
