Uzbekistan and Turkey Set $5Bn Trade Target at Strategic Council Meeting

Uzbekistan and Turkey have agreed to work towards boosting bilateral trade to $5 bn, following a high-level meeting in Ankara between President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

The talks took place during the fourth meeting of the High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council, co-chaired by the two leaders as part of President Mirziyoyev’s official visit to Turkey. The meeting marked a new stage in the countries’ comprehensive strategic partnership.

Discussions focused on expanding political dialogue, strengthening trade and economic ties, improving transport connectivity, and deepening cultural and humanitarian cooperation. Both sides noted steady growth in bilateral trade, a rising number of joint ventures, and expanding direct flight connections between the two countries.

To reach the $5bn trade target, Uzbekistan and Turkey plan to widen the list of goods covered by their Preferential Trade Agreement and launch new industrial cooperation programmes. Priority areas include industry, agriculture, healthcare, social protection, and defence-related cooperation, as well as joint efforts on security and cybercrime prevention.

The leaders also underlined the importance of interregional cooperation, with Uzbek regional delegations expected to visit Turkey later this year to explore joint projects. Cultural and tourism links will be strengthened through festivals, cultural weeks, film productions, and heritage restoration initiatives, while educational cooperation will continue with the upcoming Rectors’ Forum in Bukhara.

Following the meeting, the presidents signed a Joint Statement and approved a broad package of bilateral agreements covering sectors such as healthcare, education, transport corridors, special economic zones, migration, nuclear safety, and cultural collaboration.

President Mirziyoyev concluded his visit by inviting President Erdogan to Uzbekistan, signalling continued momentum and growing trust in Uzbek–Turkish relations.

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