The Institute of Strategic and Regional Studies under the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Marmara Group Foundation of Türkiye held a roundtable discussion on “Uzbekistan – Türkiye: Comprehensive Strategic Partnership”. Representatives of the Turkish diplomatic mission in Tashkent, authoritative scientific and expert circles, and the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA) leadership were in attendance.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs employees, heads, and experts of leading think tanks, such as the Information and Analytical Center for International Relations, the Institute of Forecasting and Macroeconomic Research, the Development Strategy Center, and the Center for Progressive Reforms, were also present.
Participants discussed the state and prospects of bilateral cooperation, as well as proposed new ideas and initiatives to strengthen trade, economic and investment, cultural and humanitarian ties.
Uzbekistan – Türkiye relations have grown to the level of a comprehensive strategic partnership. This cooperation has the potential to positively influence the modernization of the Uzbekistan national economy and keep its development rate high. Both countries advocate the creation of trans-regional connectivity between Türkiye and Central Asia, which will unlock the region’s raw materials, production, and human potential and integrate it into global value chains. In turn, Central Asian states can become a gateway for Türkiye to enter the markets of third countries.
In this context, cooperation in the transport and communications sector is of even greater importance, as it can bring additional economic benefits. The demand for this is associated with ongoing changes in the global economy. Thus, the reconfiguration of supply chains creates new opportunities for the sustainable development of Uzbekistan and Türkiye, which can find their rightful place in the emerging new global production and logistics chains model.
Uzbekistan can serve as an essential land corridor providing Türkiye with access to the EAEU, China, and South Asia markets. At the same time, Türkiye can become Uzbekistan’s gateway to European markets. Countries have already begun implementing projects within the framework of large transport corridors “East-West” and “North-South”.
The cultural and historical commonality between Uzbekistan and Türkiye creates a reliable basis for practically implementing all plans and further promoting a pragmatic cooperation agenda. This is evident in the intensity of political contacts at the highest level and the institutionalization of political dialogue. Among them are the Supreme Council for Strategic Partnership chaired by heads of state, a joint group on strategic planning at the level of foreign ministers, and inter-parliamentary cooperation groups.
The dynamics of trade and economic exchanges between the countries is also impressive. Türkiye is the 4th largest trading partner of Uzbekistan. In 2022, the trade volume between the countries was $3.2 billion, which is more than 2.5 times higher than in 2016 ($1.2 billion). As a result, Türkiye accounts for 6.4% of Uzbekistan’s total trade turnover with the outside world. The parties plan to increase trade volumes to $5 billion.
The interest of Turkish business in the Uzbekistan market is growing. Since 2016, the number of enterprises with Turkish capital has increased 6 times (2016 – 410 companies), reaching more than 2.3 thousand units. Turkish companies operate more than 15% of all existing ones in Uzbekistan. This allowed Türkiye to enter the four countries that are the largest investors in the economy of Uzbekistan. Turkish business representatives are investing in Uzbekistan’s core sectors: energy, construction, agriculture, and infrastructure. This is in tune with the fundamental goals of the Development Strategy of Uzbekistan.
Particular attention is drawn to strengthening the role of Türkiye in ensuring the energy security of Uzbekistan. In particular, since 2016, seven large energy projects with a total capacity of more than 2 thousand MW have been implemented in the country with the participation of Turkish enterprises. Cooperation is also developing in the tourism sector. Recently, Türkiye has been consolidating its status as the most attractive destination for Uzbek tourists, who make more than 200 thousand trips annually. This country ranks fifth in the number of foreign citizens arriving in Uzbekistan for tourism purposes. In 2022, 75 thousand tourists from Türkiye visited Uzbekistan, almost 2 times more than in 2021.
The countries are also cooperating through international institutions, especially within the framework of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS), which has recently become a practical structure with a solid agenda and strategic multilateral projects.
Uzbekistan and Türkiye provide mutual political support within the framework of international organizations such as the UN, OSCE, OIC, and ECO.
[gallery-13583]G. Khonnazarov, photos by D. Ernazarov, UzA