This year marks 32 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations between Uzbekistan and Türkiye. The historical experience of interaction between the two countries demonstrates that cultural and human ties remain unchanged despite political and economic transformations.
People of Uzbekistan and Türkiye have always been united by the desire to develop science and trade, manifested during the heyday of the Great Silk Road and the Ottoman Empire. The interpenetration of cultures confirms the legacy of such outstanding thinkers as Imam Bukhari, Abu Rayhan Beruni, Al Khwarizmi, Ibn Sino, Jaloliddin Rumi, Yunus Emre, Alisher Navoi, who played a crucial role in the formation of national identity. The great mathematicians Mirzo Ulugbek and Qazizade Rumi worked side by side in Uzbekistan. Our Jadid ancestors Abdurauf Fitrat, Muhammadsharif Sufizade, Said Ahrori, and others studied in Türkiye.
Türkiye became one of the first countries to recognize the sovereignty of Uzbekistan, which laid the foundation for forming a solid political and economic partnership in the new political realities. This partnership has reached a new level, covering various areas, from economics and investment to education and culture. A striking example of modern initiatives was the construction of new thermal power plants in Tashkent, Khorezm, Bukhara, Syrdarya, and Jizzakh regions by the Turkish company Cengiz Enerji, as well as the signing of a Free Trade Agreement, which significantly increased the volume of bilateral trade turnover.
Cultural ties between states are also strengthening. Turkish films and TV series are very popular in Uzbekistan, and Uzbek cultural events are regularly held in Türkiye. Educational cooperation includes the exchange of students and scientists and the promotion of the Turkish language in Uzbekistan universities.
A significant event in the cultural and spiritual sphere was the participation of the President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev in the opening ceremony of the People’s Library in Ankara in 2020, erected on the initiative of the leader of the Republic of Türkiye Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. The President of Uzbekistan presented the library with a copy of the world’s rarest Quran of Uthman, rewritten by Uzbek calligraphers, facsimile copies of the works “Masnavi” by Jaloliddin Rumi and “History of Diseases” by Abu Bakr Al Razi, the book-album “Facsimile of the works of Alisher Navoi from the libraries of Istanbul”, “Ulmas Kungul” – a collection of poems by Yunus Emre translated into Uzbek and more than 350 publications on various topics, emphasizing the importance of intellectual potential and spirituality that unite the peoples of the two countries for centuries.
Despite the fact that there were difficult periods in the history of diplomatic relations between Uzbekistan and Türkiye, which began on March 4, 1992, the countries managed to normalize the situation. An essential step towards restoring trust was the visit of the President of the Republic of Türkiye Recep Tayyip Erdoğan to Uzbekistan in November 2016.
In October 2017, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev made a return visit to Türkiye. The states signed a joint declaration, raising mutual ties to the level of a comprehensive strategic partnership, within which Uzbekistan simplified visa procedures and reintroduced a visa-free regime for Turkish citizens.
At the end of April – beginning of May 2018, President Erdoğan visited Uzbekistan again, and the parties established a new format of dialogue – the Uzbekistan – Türkiye High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council, the goal of which is to intensify the restoration of channels of cooperation and communication between the two fraternal peoples. The second meeting of the Council took place in March 2022 in Uzbekistan. At the level of governments, ministries, and agencies of the two countries, 9 documents were signed, including the Agreement on Preferential Trade; Protocol on the advance exchange of information on the movement of goods and vehicles across state borders; Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation in labor and employment; Memorandum of Cooperation in the forensic examination; Memorandum of Understanding in construction; Action Plan for 2022-2023 between the ministries of health; Cooperation Agreement between Uzbekistan National News Agency and the Anadolu Agency of Türkiye, etc.
The intensification of relations became an important stage in strengthening bilateral ties, which allowed both countries to develop political, economic, and cultural cooperation effectively.
Over the 11 months of 2023, Uzbekistan’s foreign trade turnover reached $57.3 billion, of which a significant portion – 2.8 billion – is trade with Türkiye, which confirms the status of this state as an essential key partner.
On May 1, 2024, an important meeting took place between the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance of Uzbekistan Jamshid Kuchkarov and the Vice President of Türkiye Cevdet Yılmaz. The primary purpose of the negotiations was to discuss plans to further increase trade turnover between the two countries to $5 billion. This ambitious goal reflects the mutual desire to strengthen economic ties and realize the potential of bilateral cooperation.
The main trade areas between Türkiye and Uzbekistan cover a wide range of products. Uzbekistan’s exports to Türkiye include textiles, agricultural products, and minerals. In turn, Türkiye exports engineering products, consumer goods, and pharmaceutical products to Uzbekistan. This diversity of trade positions strengthens economic ties and stimulates the development of various industries in both countries.
Notably, in recent years, the volume of bilateral trade has increased significantly. If in 2016 this figure was $1.2 billion, and in 2020 – 2.1 billion, then in 2023 – already $3.1 billion. The introduction of the E-Permit system between Uzbekistan and Türkiye in 2021 played an important role in this progress. Joint work on the project included the organization of test road rallies and the launch of a system for the electronic exchange of permit forms to speed up the process of cargo transportation and increase trade turnover between countries.
The volume of mutual direct investments has reached $1.5 billion. More than 1,900 Turkish companies operate in Uzbekistan and implement various investment projects.
One key area of cooperation is the development of medical infrastructure. In Nurafshon, Tashkent region, a multidisciplinary medical center with 800 beds will be created based on a public-private partnership with Rönesans International and Sojitz. This project will be an essential step in improving medical care and the quality of healthcare in the region.
In addition, medical and rehabilitation centers specializing in oncological and hemodialysis services will be opened in Samarkand and Bukhara regions. These projects, totaling $30 million, will significantly improve the population’s access to specialized medical care.
In addition, the Turkish government provided a $6 million grant for the purchase of 100 modern vehicles for emergency medical services. These vehicles will be equipped with the latest medical equipment, which will significantly improve the efficiency and quality of emergency medical care.
Based on the In Bulk company, the production of medicines will be launched with a total investment of $5 million. This will not only provide the domestic market with high-quality medication but also create new jobs, contributing to the development of the pharmaceutical industry in Uzbekistan.
The textile industry is another promising area of interaction between Türkiye and Uzbekistan. Together with the Turkish company Zorlu Holding (TAC brand), a large project to produce home textiles worth $100 million is planned. By the way, Zorlu Holding has about 57 companies and 23 thousand employees. The project includes constructing new production facilities and introducing modern technologies, which will increase production volumes and the export potential of local textile products.
There are plans to implement essential initiatives in the energy sector. Thus, the Turkish company Akgün Enerji proposed constructing a 100 MW solar power plant in Surkhandarya region. This project involves conducting a comprehensive analysis of technical and economic feasibility and beginning preparatory activities. Implementing this project will strengthen the region’s energy independence and promote the use of renewable energy sources.
Analyzing the current dynamics of relations between Türkiye and Uzbekistan, it is safe to say that both countries demonstrate a serious intention to develop and deepen multilateral cooperation. This is evidenced by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev’s upcoming official visit to the Republic of Türkiye at the invitation of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.
Abduaziz Khidirov, UzA