ANKARA

A top Uzbek official in charge of investments and foreign economic ties visited Turkey's state aid agency in Ankara on Monday.

Deputy Prime Minister Elyor Ganiev, along with Uzbek Ambassador in Ankara Alisher Agzamhadjaev, and a delegation, met with Serdar Cam, head of the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA), the agency said in a statement.

Ganiev hailed the "close and systematic" cooperation with TIKA in Uzbekistan and said he wants to further develop it.

"Since 1994, TIKA has carried out around 800 projects in Uzbekistan, mainly in education, health, drinking water, and infrastructure," Ganiev said.

He also said last year TIKA delivered 50 ambulances to Uzbekistan.

Cooperation between Turkey and Uzbekistan also constitutes a "historic opportunity" for both countries, said Cam.

He said TIKA will soon start historical restoration in Uzbekistan to pass on the country's heritage to future generations, as well as boost its tourism potential.

"We closed out 2018 with a great success and record. We achieved this with the support and strength that Uzbekistan gave us," Cam said.

Cam added that TIKA will do its best to keep up the pace of achievements in 2019.

* Writing by Jeyhun Aliyev