On August 5, 2019, Ankara hosted the first meeting of the Joint Strategy Planning Group. It was chaired by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Uzbekistan Abdulaziz Kamilov and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Turkey Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu, Uzbekistan MFA reports.

The ministers thoroughly discussed the implementation of the agreements between the President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev and the President of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the state and prospects of developing bilateral relations in political, trade-economic, tourism, cultural-humanitarian and other fields within the framework of preparation for the upcoming first meeting of the Supreme Council for Strategic Partnership in Ankara this year, chaired by the heads of states.

Heads of foreign affairs agencies noted with satisfaction the intensification of Uzbekistan – Turkey dialogue at various levels and formats, the fruitful results of the meeting of Uzbekistan – Turkey Joint Intergovernmental Commission on Trade and Economic Cooperation held in Ankara on July 22-23, 2019. It was emphasized that economic and investment ties have a central place in interaction between Uzbekistan and Turkey. In 2018, trade turnover between the two countries increased by 40.5% and amounted to 2 billion 172 million US dollars. In January-June this year, trade turnover between the countries amounted to 1 billion 142.7 million US dollars, which exceeds the figures for the same period of 2018 by 22%. The number of companies with Turkish capital increased by 50% and amounted to 1081.

The ministers reaffirmed the parties’ interest in continuing political and diplomatic cooperation in a bilateral format, developing cooperation within the UN, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and other international organizations.

Heads of delegations also touched upon issues of building cultural and humanitarian ties. The Turkish side was invited to the upcoming XII International Music Festival “Sharq Taronalari” in Samarkand and the I International Handicrafters Festival in Kokand. Prospects of enhancing contacts between scientific and educational institutions of the two countries were considered.

Following the negotiations, an agreement was reached to hold the second meeting of the Joint Strategy Planning Group chaired by the foreign ministers of the two states in 2020 in Tashkent. After the meeting, Abdulaziz Kamilov and Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu signed a Cooperation Program between the foreign ministries of Uzbekistan and Turkey for 2020-2021, which provides for conducting regular inter-MFA consultations in such relevant areas as trade, investment, tourism, energy, transport, security, education and other issues, as well as cooperation within international and regional organizations.

Source: UzA