Türkiye and Uzbekistan elevate ties to comprehensive strategic partnership

2026-03-04 - 12:12

As the 34th anniversary of diplomatic relations is commemorated, Ankara and Tashkent have transformed their bilateral connection into a comprehensive strategic partnership, building on a foundation laid when Türkiye became the first nation to recognize Uzbekistan's independence in December 1991. The evolution of this relationship reflects the growing geopolitical importance of Central Asia and Ankara's commitment to strengthening ties with Turkic-speaking nations across the region. Presidential leadership drives diplomatic breakthrough Following years of fluctuating relations after Uzbekistan's independence, a new chapter began with President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's November 2016 visit to Samarkand, where he held talks with Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev. This meeting revitalized bilateral cooperation, leading to Mirziyoyev's historic 2017 visit to Ankara—the first by an Uzbek leader in 21 years. The two presidents subsequently established the High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council, which has convened four times, most recently in Ankara this January, where leaders signed a joint declaration formalizing the comprehensive strategic partnership and nearly a dozen additional agreements spanning multiple sectors. Uzbekistan demonstrates fraternal solidarity after earthquakes When devastating earthquakes struck Türkiye's southern regions in February 2023, Uzbekistan exemplified the meaning of brotherly ties by dispatching search and rescue teams, medical personnel, and approximately 700 tons of humanitarian aid. The Uzbek government financed a 306-apartment housing project in Hatay province, named the "Uzbekistan Neighborhood," where President Erdoğan and President Mirziyoyev jointly handed over keys to families. Speaking at the inauguration, Mirziyoyev invoked the proverb "a friend is known in times of hardship," emphasizing that his nation regarded Türkiye's suffering as its own and had fulfilled its "brotherly duty." Bilateral trade surges toward ambitious targets Economic cooperation has expanded dramatically, with trade volume climbing from $1.24 billion in 2016 to exceed $3 billion in 2025. Officials have set a near-term target of $5 billion, with a long-term goal of reaching $10 billion. Türkiye now stands as Uzbekistan's fourth-largest trading partner, accounting for 3.7 percent of its foreign trade. Turkish exports—primarily machinery, vehicles, textiles, and furniture—reached $1.88 billion, while imports of plastics, metals, and cotton yarn from Uzbekistan totaled $1.13 billion. Cultural and educational ties strengthen people-to-people connections Beyond economics, cooperation has flourished in education, health, and tourism. Turkish institutions including TOBB University and health sciences programs have established branches in Tashkent, Bukhara, and Samarkand, while the Yunus Emre Institute promotes cultural exchange. Visa facilitation measures introduced in 2018 have dramatically increased travel, with Uzbek visitors to Türkiye rising from 150,000 annually to nearly 500,000. Weekly flights between the two countries have expanded from just five to approximately 100, with both nations aiming to reach one million mutual visitors annually under their tourism cooperation agreement.