Türkiye is increasingly becoming one of the world’s new geopolitical power hubs, Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev said on Thursday (29 January) during a joint news conference with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in Ankara.
Mirziyoyev highlighted Türkiye’s growing global influence, noting that its initiatives, including the so-called “Century of Türkiye” plan, are being implemented in a consistent and orderly manner.
“Türkiye is literally becoming one of the world’s new geopolitical power hubs,” Mirziyoyev said.
Earlier, Erdoğan welcomed Mirziyoyev to Ankara’s Presidential Complex for the Fourth Meeting of the Türkiye-Uzbekistan High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council, which Mirziyoyev described as “productive.”
Following bilateral and delegation-level talks, the two sides signed 10 agreements and memoranda of understanding covering cooperation in health, education, culture, transport corridors, mining, energy, higher education, free and special economic zones, and economic and financial affairs.
Mirziyoyev emphasised the enduring brotherhood between the two countries, stating that shared language and religion strengthen their ties.
“No distance can separate us from our brotherly Turkish people. The realisation of all goals between our countries is the result of solidarity, unity, and togetherness,” he said.
He also outlined plans to accelerate bilateral relations in 2026, including regular meetings of the High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council, effective use of the Joint Economic Commission, and the launch of new joint committees for ministerial and local-level dialogue.
Education and cultural cooperation
Mirziyoyev underlined the growing cooperation in education, citing the construction of the first Uzbek state school in İstanbul and the establishment of the International University of Turkic States in Taşkent. He also highlighted the Yunus Emre Institute’s activities at Ali Şir Nevai University in Uzbekistan.
Regarding cultural exchange, Mirziyoyev praised Türkiye’s contribution to post-earthquake recovery efforts in 2023. Uzbek teams provided search and rescue operations, and the country will contribute quake-damaged houses in Hatay province, symbolising “eternal friendship” between the peoples.
“These prosperous settlements and beautiful buildings will be a shining symbol of our eternal friendship with the brave Turkish people,” Mirziyoyev said.
President Erdoğan: Turkic world will leave its mark on the Century
At the joint press conference, Erdoğan stressed the historic and economic significance of the bilateral relationship.
“As long as we stand heart to heart, we are confident we will leave the Turkish world’s mark on this century,” he said, noting that Türkiye has tripled bilateral trade with Uzbekistan over the past decade and now aims for a $5 billion trade target.
Erdoğan added that Turkish companies, with investments exceeding $5 billion, rank among the top three investors in Uzbekistan and pledged to further contribute to Uzbekistan’s development and Central Asian prosperity.
He also highlighted ongoing collaboration within the Organization of Turkic States, including Mirziyoyev’s role in establishing World Turkic Language Family Day at UNESCO.
Erdoğan praised Uzbekistan for its principled stance on the Gaza conflict and for establishing a fund to provide social services for Palestinians.
Unity in hardship
Erdoğan reaffirmed the solidarity between Türkiye and Uzbekistan during crises, recalling Uzbek aid following the 6 February 2023 earthquakes in Türkiye. Uzbekistan constructed 308 housing units within a broader project of 3,093 homes in Hatay, which Erdoğan described as a symbol of enduring brotherhood.
Upcoming ceremonies will hand over these homes to survivors and break ground for the Uzbekistan State School projects in Hatay and İstanbul.
Meeting of First Ladies
Separately, the first ladies of Türkiye and Uzbekistan, Emine Erdoğan and Ziroat Mirziyoyeva, met at Ankara Palas. Mirziyoyeva expressed interest in Anatolian embroidery techniques and invited Turkish master trainers to Uzbekistan to provide training for local artists.
“Culture is one of the strongest bridges that brings societies closer together, keeps our shared memory alive, and builds lasting ties between nations,” Emine Erdoğan said on the Turkish social media platform Nsosyal.
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