The delegation of the Republic of Uzbekistan paid a working visit to the Republic of Türkiye to discuss ways to strengthen the comprehensive strategic partnership.

The delegation, led by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Uzbekistan, included the heads of the country’s law enforcement agencies.

During the visit, the delegation of the Republic of Uzbekistan was received by President of the Republic of Türkiye Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.

A 4+4 meeting was also held with the participation of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Internal Affairs, and Defense of Uzbekistan and Türkiye, as well as heads of security services.

Current issues of bilateral relations, the regional agenda, and global processes, as well as the most effective ways of cooperation aimed at ensuring sustainable development and well-being based on lasting security, were discussed.

A bilateral meeting was also held between the Minister of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Lieutenant General Aziz Tashpulatov, and the Minister of Interior of the Republic of Türkiye, Ali Yerlikaya.

The parties noted that cooperation in combating transnational crime, ensuring public safety, prompt and effective information exchange, migration issues, and the introduction of best practices and advanced methods has noticeably intensified. It was also emphasized that systematic cooperation has been established in the development of professional potential, retraining, and advanced training of law enforcement officers.

Issues of combating cybercrime were discussed in detail. The parties stressed the importance of taking effective measures against digital threats, using advanced technologies to solve cybercrimes, organizing specialized training courses in digital forensics, and regularly exchanging experience in this field.

Special attention was paid to the issues of strengthening cooperation in the fight against international crimes such as terrorism and extremism, illegal migration, human trafficking, and drug trafficking.

The establishment of cooperation between the recently established Criminology Research Institute within the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the research centers under the Ministry of Interior of the Republic of Türkiye, as well as the gendarmerie, was noted.

Following the meeting, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed to regulate migration processes, facilitate the return of citizens to their homeland, and implement agreed joint measures in this area.

The visit, which took place in a friendly, open, and constructive atmosphere, contributes to bringing cooperation between Uzbekistan and Türkiye to a qualitatively new level, strengthening mutual trust between the internal affairs bodies, and more effectively organizing joint efforts in the field of security.

Norgul Abduraimova, UzA