TASHKENT / ISTANBUL

As Türkiye and Uzbekistan mark the 34th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations, bilateral ties are now taking the forefront with the transformation of Türkiye being the first country to recognize Uzbekistan’s independence to now achieving a level of comprehensive strategic partnership.

On Dec. 16, 1991, Türkiye was the first country to recognize Uzbekistan’s independence, which was declared on Aug. 31, 1991. Diplomatic relations were formally established on March 4, 1992.

Türkiye also became the first country to open an embassy in Uzbekistan. The Turkish Embassy in Tashkent began operations in April 1992, while Uzbekistan’s Embassy in Ankara opened in January 1993.

During the 24 years following Uzbekistan’s independence, relations between the two countries experienced periodic ups and downs for various reasons.

A new era in ties with Uzbekistan -- a key country in Central Asia because of its geostrategic location, deep-rooted history, rich cultural heritage, economic potential, population of over 38 million, and shared borders with several regional states -- began with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s visit to Samarkand in November 2016.

During the visit, Erdogan held talks with Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, revitalizing bilateral relations and giving them new momentum. Subsequently, in October 2017, Mirziyoyev paid a visit to Türkiye as president, becoming the highest-level Uzbek official to visit the country in 21 years.

Ties elevated to high-level strategic partnership

In line with the close friendship and strong political will of the two presidents, Türkiye-Uzbekistan relations were upgraded to the strategic partnership level in 2017. Meetings of the Türkiye-Uzbekistan Joint Economic Commission, which had not convened for many years, were resumed.

In 2018, the two leaders established the Türkiye-Uzbekistan High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council. Its first meeting was held in Ankara in February 2020, the second in Tashkent in March 2022, and the third in Ankara in June 2024.

In recent years, high-level reciprocal visits and contacts have intensified, with the two presidents paying five mutual visits over the past three years.

Most recently, Mirziyoyev paid an official visit to Ankara in January, during which the fourth meeting of the High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council was held.

At the meeting, Erdogan and Mirziyoyev signed the “Joint Declaration of the 4th Meeting of the Türkiye-Uzbekistan High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council” and the “Decision on Cooperation Mechanisms of Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Relations between the Republic of Türkiye and the Republic of Uzbekistan.” Nearly 10 additional agreements covering cooperation in various fields were also signed.

Prior to the visit, the fourth meeting of the Türkiye-Uzbekistan Joint Strategic Planning Group was held in Ankara, along with the first meeting of the Türkiye-Uzbekistan 4+4 Mechanism, attended by the two countries’ foreign, interior and defense ministers as well as intelligence chiefs.

Uzbekistan shows true solidarity as a friend in times of need

Following the devastating earthquakes that struck Türkiye in February 2023, Uzbekistan demonstrated unwavering solidarity, standing firmly by Türkiye’s side and proving itself a true friend in times of need.

Immediately after the disaster, Uzbekistan dispatched search and rescue and medical teams to Türkiye and delivered approximately 700 tons of humanitarian aid. Many Uzbek citizens also volunteered in affected regions.

The Uzbek government implemented a housing project consisting of 306 apartments for earthquake victims in the Hatay province.

During Mirziyoyev’s latest visit to Türkiye, an inauguration ceremony was held for the Uzbekistan Neighborhood in Hatay, where the housing units were built. The two presidents handed over keys to several families at the ceremony.

Shavkat Mirziyoyev recalled the proverb “a friend is known in times of hardship” during his speech, stating that the Uzbek people regarded the suffering of the Turkish people during those difficult days as their own and expressed strong solidarity.

He noted that numerous search and rescue personnel from Uzbekistan had traveled to Türkiye following the Feb. 6 earthquakes and carried out operations in disaster zones, emphasizing that his country had fulfilled its “brotherly duty.”

Trade between Türkiye and Uzbekistan has grown rapidly, rising from $1.242 billion in 2016 to over $3 billion in 2025, with a short-term target of $5 billion and a long-term goal of $10 billion. Accounting for 3.7% of Uzbekistan’s foreign trade, Türkiye is now its fourth-largest trading partner.

In 2025, Turkish exports to Uzbekistan reached $1.888 billion, while imports from Uzbekistan stood at $1.136 billion. Türkiye mainly exports machinery, electronics, furniture, vehicles, textiles, and food products, while importing plastics, metals, and cotton yarn.

Cooperation in education and tourism expanding rapidly

Cooperation between Türkiye and Uzbekistan has also expanded in education, health, and culture through joint forums and projects.

Several Turkish institutions operate in Uzbekistan, including the Tashkent branch of TOBB University of Economics and Technology and health sciences programs affiliated with the University of Health Sciences (Türkiye) in Bukhara, Samarkand, and Tashkent.

Cultural and academic ties are further supported by the Yunus Emre Institute and the International University of Turkic States in Tashkent.

Following visa facilitation measures after 2018, mutual travel between Türkiye and Uzbekistan increased significantly.

Uzbek visitors to Türkiye rose from about 150,000 in 2016 to nearly 500,000 in 2025. Weekly scheduled flights expanded from 5 to around 100, with new routes connecting several cities in both countries.

Under a tourism cooperation agreement, the two sides aim to further increase flights and reach one million mutual visitors annually.