Türkiye and Uzbekistan hold first high-level 4+4 security meeting
Türkiye and Uzbekistan convened the inaugural session of a new "4+4" security mechanism in Ankara, bringing together top officials from foreign affairs, defense, interior ministries, and intelligence agencies of both nations.
Türkiye and Uzbekistan have launched a new high-level strategic dialogue format, holding its first meeting in the Turkish capital Ankara on Tuesday. The so-called "4+4" mechanism assembled the foreign, defense, and interior ministers alongside the intelligence chiefs from both countries, signaling a deepening of bilateral cooperation across multiple security and diplomatic domains.
A Meeting of Key Security Officials
The Turkish delegation was led by Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and included National Defense Minister Yaşar Güler, Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya, and National Intelligence Organization (MIT) Chief İbrahim Kalın. They met with their Uzbek counterparts within the framework of this newly established platform. Photographs from the closed-door meeting were shared by the Turkish Foreign Ministry on the social media platform NSosyal, though specific discussion points were not disclosed.
Deepening Turkic World Ties
The establishment of this comprehensive mechanism represents a significant upgrade in relations between the two Turkic states. It moves beyond traditional diplomacy to integrate critical pillars of state security and internal affairs, reflecting a shared commitment to addressing common challenges. Türkiye has been actively fostering closer ties with Central Asian nations, emphasizing historical, cultural, and linguistic bonds under its broader Turkic world outreach strategy.
Strategic Implications for Regional Security
This high-caliber forum allows for coordinated policy on issues ranging from regional stability and counterterrorism to border security and intelligence sharing. For Uzbekistan, a key player in Central Asia, closer alignment with Türkiye offers a strategic partnership that complements its multivector foreign policy. For Ankara, strengthening ties with Tashkent reinforces its role as a connecting power between Europe and Asia and bolsters its influence in a region of growing geopolitical importance, situated between Russia, China, and Afghanistan.
Comments you share on our site are a valuable resource for other users. Please be respectful of different opinions and other users. Avoid using rude, aggressive, derogatory, or discriminatory language.