Turkey–Uzbekistan relations

Turkey–Uzbekistan relations

Turkey
Uzbekistan
Diplomatic mission
Turkish Embassy, TashkentUzbek Embassy, Ankara

Following Uzbekistan's independence from the Soviet Union, Turkey has been especially active in pursuing economic projects and social, cultural, and diplomatic initiatives in Uzbekistan. On December 16, 1991, Turkey was the first[1] country to recognize Uzbekistan and among the first to open an embassy in Tashkent.[1]

During the early 1990s, Turkey has made early commitments for expansion of trade and cooperation,[2] funding Uzbek development schemes with a US$700 million (worth US$1.3 billion in 2020) credit[3] and pledging yearly 2,000 scholarships[4] for Uzbek students to study in Turkey.

Since then, Turkey and Uzbekistan have developed a strong relationship with more than 100 bilateral agreements and protocols concluded between the two countries.[5] Uzbekistan, as the only[1] Central Asian state bordering on all other countries, is important to the Turkish commitment in ensuring stability, prosperity, and security in Central Asia.[5]

Since gaining independence, Uzbek wariness of Russian influence led Uzbekistan to seek closer ties with other countries.[6] The cultural kinship and proximity of Turkey has encouraged close relations and allowed to create relations[7] with its immediate Central Asian neighbors, Russia and other nations of the CIS.[8]

Both Turkey and Uzbekistan are full members of the Organization of Turkic States. Turkey has been a participant to the political entity since the Nakhchivan Agreement in 2009, and Uzbekistan joined as a full-fledged member in 2019.

History

In April 1992, Turkey recognized the independence of the Republic of Uzbekistan and established diplomatic relations with the country. Even earlier, in 1991, Uzbek President Islam Karimov paid a visit to Turkey. Subsequent official visits took place in June and November 1994. In October 1998, Karimov participated in celebrations marking the 75th anniversary of Turkey's victory in the War of Independence (1919–1923). During this visit, talks were held between the leaders of the two states, resulting in the creation of a treaty framework for relations between Turkey and Uzbekistan. In particular, a Treaty of Eternal Friendship and Cooperation was signed, along with other agreements concerning trade, scientific and technical collaboration, military affairs, the fight against terrorism, and the prevention of drug trafficking. In total, 78 agreements were concluded.

During the 1990s and 2000s, Turkey maintained close ties with representatives of the Uzbek opposition, which for a long time hindered the normal development of relations between the two countries.[9]

After the death of Islam Karimov and the election of Shavkat Mirziyoyev as president, relations improved and reached the level of a strategic partnership.[10]

Economic relations

In 2017, trade between the two countries increased to US$1.5 billion.[11]

A preferential trade agreement is in effect between the two countries.[12]

Between January and May 2023, 121 joint ventures were established in Uzbekistan.[13]

Presidential visits

Guest Host Place of visit Date of visit
President Shavkat Mirziyoyev President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan Presidential Complex, Ankara February 19–20, 2020[5]
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev Tashkent March 29–30, 2022[14]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c Nichol,James. "Uzbekistan: Basic Facts," CRS Report for Congress, May 28, 1996.
  2. ^ Hale, Henry. "Islam, State-building, and Uzbekistan Foreign Policy," pp. 136–72 in Ali Banuazizi and Myron Weiner, eds., The New Geopolitics of Central Asia and Its Borderlands. Bloomington: Indiana University Press, 1994.
  3. ^ Akbarzadeh, Shahram. "Nation Building in Uzbekistan," Central Asian Survey [Abingdon, United Kingdom], 15, March 1996, pp. 23-32.
  4. ^ Ferdinand, Peter, ed. The New States of Central Asia and Their Neighbors. New York: Council on Foreign Relations Press, 1994.
  5. ^ a b c "Relations between Turkey and Uzbekistan". Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkey.
  6. ^ Rubinstein, Alvin Z. "The Geopolitical Pull on Russia," Orbis, 38, No. 3, Summer 1995, 567-84.
  7. ^ Henley, John S., and George B. Assaf. "Re-Integrating the Central Asian Republics into the World Economy," Intereconomics, 30, September–October 1995, pp. 235-45.
  8. ^ Horton, Scott, and Tatiana Geller. "Secured Transactions in Uzbekistan," Central Asia Monitor, 1996, No. 2, 21-7.
  9. ^ Узбекистан — Турция: новый этап партнерства. Беседа с Бахтиером Эргашевым Archived 2021-07-09 at the Wayback Machine — kaktakto,11 мая 2018
  10. ^ "Отношения Турции и Узбекистана достигли стратегического партнерства". www.aa.com.tr. Archived from the original on 2022-04-13. Retrieved 2022-04-13.
  11. ^ Возвращение Сельджукидов. Зачем президент Турции приезжал в Узбекистан Archived 2018-11-24 at the Wayback Machine — 2 мая 2018
  12. ^ "Министр: Турция и Азербайджан завершают подготовку к упрощенному таможенному коридору". Азери-Пресс (in Russian). Archived from the original on 2022-08-06. Retrieved 2022-08-06.
  13. ^ "Азербайджан в числе лидеров по созданным в Узбекистане новых предприятий". Day.Az (in Russian). 2023-07-01. Retrieved 2023-07-14.
  14. ^ "Cumhurbaşkanı Erdoğan, Özbekistan'a gitti". www.aa.com.tr (in Turkish). Retrieved 2022-08-02.
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