AKIPRESS.COM - The Institute of Strategic and Regional Studies under the President of Uzbekistan and Türkiye's Marmara Group Foundation organized a roundtable discussion on "Uzbekistan - Türkiye: Comprehensive Strategic Partnership", UzA reports.

The event was attended by representatives of the Turkish diplomatic mission in Tashkent, the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA) leadership, and the representatives of 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.

The parties exchanged views on the state and prospects for developing bilateral cooperation and developed new ideas and proposals to strengthen trade, economic and investment, cultural and humanitarian ties.

Uzbekistan - Türkiye relations have demonstrated high development dynamics in recent years. Using the potential of cooperation with Türkiye can positively impact the modernization of the national economy and maintain high rates of development in Uzbekistan. 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, the Central Asian states can become a springboard for Türkiye to enter the markets of third countries.

Cooperation in the transport and communications sector is also significant, as it can bring additional economic dividends.

Uzbekistan can be an essential land corridor providing Türkiye with access to the EAEU, China, and South Asia markets. Türkiye can become Uzbekistan's gateway to European markets.

The start of Uzbekistan's use of the transit potential of the Baku – Tbilisi – Kars railway and the launch of the new land transit corridor Türkiye – Iran – Turkmenistan – Uzbekistan are noted. The projects are part of the parties' common aspirations to create a connecting link of ample transcontinental connectivity. This should be facilitated by plans to implement the multimodal corridor "APR – China – Kyrgyzstan – Uzbekistan – Turkmenistan – Azerbaijan – Georgia – Türkiye – Europe".

The intensity of political contacts at the highest level and the institutionalization of political dialogue are also in development. 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.

Türkiye is the 4th largest trading partner of Uzbekistan. The trade volume between the countries amounted to $3.2 billion in 2022 and increased by more than 2.5 times compared to 2016 ($1.2 billion). As a result, Türkiye accounts for 6.4% of Uzbekistan's total trade turnover with the outside world. Plans are outlined to increase trade volumes to $5 billion.

Since 2016, the number of enterprises with Turkish capital has increased 6 times, reaching more than 2,300 units. Turkish companies operate more than 15% of all existing ones in Uzbekistan, which allowed Türkiye to enter the four countries that are the largest investors in the economy of Uzbekistan.

Particular attention is drawn to strengthening the role of Türkiye in ensuring the energy security of Uzbekistan. In particular, seven large energy projects with a total capacity of more than 2,000 MW have been implemented in the country with the participation of Turkish enterprises since 2016.