Tashkent and Ankara expand cooperation across security, economy, and connectivity

According to Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the ministers underscored the shared history, language, and cultural heritage of the two nations as the foundation of their fraternal ties. They confirmed their intention to further strengthen comprehensive Uzbek–Turkish cooperation within the framework of the countries’ Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

During the meeting, the sides discussed ways to expand cooperation across a wide range of areas, including trade and investment, energy security, regional connectivity, counterterrorism and other transnational threats, the defense industry, culture, environmental protection, education, and tourism.

The ministers also highlighted the symbolic significance of UNESCO’s decision to proclaim December 15 as World Turkic Languages Day, adopted during the 43rd session of the UNESCO General Conference held in Samarkand in November 2025, noting the city’s role as one of the ancient centers of Turkic civilization.

Particular attention was given to the “4+4” mechanism, which the ministers described as a unique platform for cooperation in security, military affairs, intelligence, and foreign policy. They expressed satisfaction with the outcomes of the recent “4+4” meeting in Ankara, attended by the foreign, interior, and defense ministers, as well as the heads of intelligence services of both countries, and stressed the importance of implementing the updated Action Plan signed during that meeting.

The ministers welcomed progress in implementing the Action Plan adopted at the 8th meeting of the Joint Economic Commission, emphasizing the commission’s role as a key mechanism for advancing practical cooperation in trade and economic relations.

They also underlined the importance of the Trans-Caspian East–West Middle Corridor as a sustainable and reliable transport and energy route linking Central Asia to international markets via Turkey. In this context, they noted the strategic role of the Baku–Tbilisi–Kars railway line for the corridor’s infrastructure. The ministers welcomed progress in implementing the Ankara Declaration adopted following the second trilateral meeting of the foreign, trade/economy, and transport/infrastructure ministers of Turkey, Azerbaijan, and Uzbekistan on January 29, 2025, and reaffirmed their commitment to continued trilateral cooperation.

Both sides reiterated their determination to strengthen the Turkic world through its core cooperation platform – the Organization of Turkic States – as well as other Turkic cooperation mechanisms. They expressed support for joint initiatives aimed at further developing political, trade, economic, cultural, and people-to-people ties among member states and observers.

The ministers also confirmed their intention to deepen cooperation within international and regional organizations, including the United Nations, the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, the Conference on Interaction and Confidence-Building Measures in Asia, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, and the Economic Cooperation Organization. They agreed to maintain mutual support for each other’s candidacies in international bodies wherever possible.

Regional and international issues were also discussed, including developments in Afghanistan, Gaza, Ukraine, and Syria.

Expressing satisfaction with the frequency of high-level contacts, the ministers noted that such exchanges contribute to closer cooperation across multiple areas and pledged to maintain the current positive momentum. The meeting also served as an opportunity to discuss preparations for the 4th meeting of the High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council, to be co-chaired by the presidents of Uzbekistan and Turkey and planned to be held in Ankara.