Presidents of Türkiye and Uzbekistan to hold high-level talks in Ankara

The presidents of Türkiye and Uzbekistan are set to hold a high-level summit in Ankara on Thursday, aiming to deepen the strategic partnership between the two Turkic states. Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev's official visit, at the invitation of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, will focus on strengthening bilateral ties and addressing regional issues.

Focus on the High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council

The centerpiece of the visit will be the fourth meeting of the Türkiye-Uzbekistan High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council, which the two leaders will co-chair. This council serves as the primary mechanism for coordinating and elevating relations between Ankara and Tashkent. According to a statement from Türkiye's Communications Directorate, the presidents are expected to conduct a detailed review of steps to further strengthen cooperation across various sectors. The meeting is also anticipated to conclude with the signing of several new agreements designed to expand and solidify the legal framework governing the bilateral relationship.

Symbolic Gesture: Inaugurating Post-Earthquake Housing

A highly symbolic event during the visit will underscore the humanitarian and fraternal dimension of the partnership. The two presidents will participate in a live video link ceremony to inaugurate housing units built in Türkiye's southern province of Hatay. This construction project was realized with significant support from Uzbekistan following the devastating earthquakes that struck the region in February 2023. The ceremony will highlight Uzbekistan's solidarity with Türkiye in a time of crisis and represents a tangible outcome of their collaborative efforts.

Broader Regional and International Context

Beyond bilateral matters, Presidents Erdogan and Mirziyoyev are scheduled to discuss current regional and international developments. The talks are expected to cover shared interests in Central Asia, the Caucasus, and wider Eurasian stability. As two influential Muslim-majority nations with growing economic and diplomatic profiles, coordination between Türkiye and Uzbekistan carries weight in regional forums. The summit reinforces the ongoing trend of closer integration among Turkic-speaking nations, with Ankara and Tashkent playing leading roles in this geopolitical alignment.