Turkey-Uzbekistan relations: from a common past to a common future

Relations between Turkey and Uzbekistan: from a common past to a future

The 35th anniversary of Uzbekistan's independence is not only a significant event in the country's history, but also an important opportunity to assess the past course of Turkish-Uzbek relations and the changes they have undergone. Turkey was the first country to recognize the independence of Uzbekistan on December 16, 1991, and diplomatic relations were established on March 4, 1992.

Over the past 35 years, relations between the two countries have developed significantly, especially in recent years. Today, it is not enough to describe relations between Turkey and Uzbekistan solely in the concept of "brotherhood". Relations based on a common history, language and culture have today developed into a multifaceted partnership combining strategic interests, economically complementary opportunities and common regional visions.

The main turning point in relations was undoubtedly the period after 2017. Uzbekistan's adoption of a more open and proactive approach to foreign policy has also paved the way for the rapid development of relations with Turkey. The two countries' relations were elevated to the level of strategic partnership in 2017, and a High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council was established in 2018. In 2024, the relationship was upgraded to the level of "comprehensive strategic partnership".

This development shows that relations are now developing not only on the basis of political proximity, but also through specific cooperation mechanisms.

**Economic relations are becoming the locomotive of a new era**

One of the areas with the greatest potential for the future of Turkish-Uzbek relations is the economy. In 2025, the trade volume between the two countries amounted to about $ 3.1 billion, while about 2.5 thousand companies with Turkish capital operate in Uzbekistan. The total volume of Turkish investments in Uzbekistan reached about $ 5.6 billion as of 2025.

While these figures are significant, what is most striking is the increasing diversification of economic relations. Today, there are opportunities for cooperation in many areas, including energy, textiles, manufacturing, construction, agriculture, transport, digitalization, and defense.

Therefore, the goal in the coming period should not only be to increase trade, but also to develop joint investments and cooperation projects in third countries that connect the production potential of the two countries.

**The growing geopolitical importance of the Middle Corridor and Central Asia**

Another important factor that is increasing the strategic importance of relations between Turkey and Uzbekistan is the development of transport and logistics.

When Uzbekistan’s geographical location in the heart of Central Asia is combined with Turkey’s geopolitical position, which provides access to Europe, the Caucasus, and the Mediterranean, the two countries have the potential for not only bilateral but also intercontinental economic ties.

The trilateral mechanism being developed between Turkey, Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan is also of great importance in this context. The 2025 Ankara Declaration specifically emphasizes the development of joint projects in the fields of trade, investment, industry, energy, transport, logistics and digital communications, as well as the strengthening of the Trans-Caspian East-West Central Corridor.

This development has the potential to take Turkey-Uzbekistan relations beyond the scope of relations between only two countries and turn them into an important component of strengthening the economic connectivity of the Turkic world.

**Playing a common role in the future of the Turkic world**

Uzbekistan's full membership in the Organization of Turkic States in 2019 has also strengthened the multilateral direction of relations. The TDT summit held in Samarkand in 2022 further highlighted Uzbekistan's position in the Turkic world.

Today, Turkey and Uzbekistan are two important countries that support each other, first of all within the framework of the TPT, as well as on many other international and regional platforms. The transformation of common history and culture into political cooperation is also of great importance in terms of the institutional development of the Turkic world.

Here, special attention should be paid to relations in the fields of education, culture and youth. Because the most important factor that ensures the long-term and sustainable development of Turkish-Uzbek relations is not only diplomatic relations between states, but also the further strengthening of human ties between societies.

**Opportunities of a new era**

The fact that, in addition to trade and investment, a wide range of areas of cooperation such as energy security, transport, defense industry, culture, education and tourism were discussed at the Joint Strategic Planning Group meeting held in 2026 shows how much the scope of relations has expanded.

The first meeting of the 4+4 mechanism, which brings together the foreign, defense, internal affairs and intelligence agencies of the two countries, was also held within the framework of this meeting.

This picture shows that Turkish-Uzbek relations have entered a new stage. Now the issue is not only to establish "good relations", but also to transform the existing closeness into permanent institutions, joint investments, a common security concept, educational and cultural projects and regional initiatives, transforming the common potential of the two countries into tangible results and a sustainable strategic partnership.

In conclusion, it can be noted that on the 35th anniversary of Uzbekistan's independence, Turkish-Uzbek relations have become a model of relations based on common values, but also oriented towards the future.

Political trust between the two countries, the convergence of economic interests, new opportunities in the field of transport and logistics, cooperation within the framework of the Organization of Turkic States, and closeness in the fields of education and culture are creating a solid foundation for the coming period.

In this sense, the 35-year relationship between Turkey and Uzbekistan is an important example of a strategic partnership that has moved from a common past to a common future.

Mehmet Yuuse,

Communications Counselor at the Embassy of the Republic of Turkey in Tashkent, Professor, Doctor