A meeting was held at the Executive Committee of the Political Council of the Liberal Democratic Party of Uzbekistan with representatives of the delegation led by Mr. Z. Sırakaya, Deputy Chairman of Türkiye’s Justice and Development Party. The Turkish delegation also included Mr. Zorlu, Deputy Chairman of the Justice and Development Party for Cooperation with Turkic-speaking States, as well as several other official representatives.

Welcoming the guests, A. Khaitov, Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Political Council of the Movement of Entrepreneurs and Businesspeople – the Liberal Democratic Party of Uzbekistan, emphasized that relations between the two countries are steadily developing. He noted that Türkiye was the first country to recognize Uzbekistan’s independence, and since that historic event, friendly ties between Türkiye and Uzbekistan have been advancing in all areas. “In particular, over the past eight years, these relations have reached an entirely new qualitative level”, Mr. Khaitov stressed. “More than 100 joint projects are being successfully implemented in cooperation with Turkish partners in our country. In addition, a portfolio of promising projects worth a total of $10 billion has been formed, and the growing volume of mutual trade is a clear example of this. Furthermore, the activities of both countries within international organizations, especially within the Organization of Turkic States, are contributing to bringing our peoples even closer together”.

The party leader emphasized that at the core of these relations lie the trust-based ties between the Presidents of the two countries – President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev and President of Türkiye Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. It is precisely these relations that provide a solid foundation for the rapid development of cooperation between Uzbekistan and Türkiye in all areas.

In their speeches at the meeting, Deputy Chairmen of Türkiye’s Justice and Development Party, Z. Sırakaya and K. Zorlu, highlighted that bilateral relations with Uzbekistan have always held an essential place in Türkiye’s international relations. They noted that this is not only due to Uzbekistan’s unique position in Central Asia, but also to the centuries-old historical bonds that unite the people of the two countries. They emphasized that in advancing the closeness established by the leaders of the two countries, it is also expedient for the leading political forces of Uzbekistan and Türkiye to contribute their efforts.

At the meeting, it was emphasized that strengthening interparty relations is an essential tool in achieving these goals. It was noted that the efforts of both parties to improve the well-being of the population and to ensure the socio-political and economic development of their countries are in harmony with each other, and that employing mechanisms of international cooperation in this process is beneficial for both sides.

At the conclusion of the meeting, a Memorandum of Cooperation was signed between the two parties to strengthen their partnership and give it concrete substance.

Within the framework of this document, provisions were made for exchanging experience in party building, developing ties between party parliamentary groups in the legislatures and local representative bodies of the two countries, as well as strengthening relations between the youth and women’s wings of the parties. In addition, emphasis was placed on fostering cooperation between the regions of both countries, promoting interaction among business entities, and establishing collaborative relations between the analytical centers of the two parties.

It was expressed with confidence that such close interparty cooperation would strengthen the friendship between our peoples.

As part of their visit, representatives of the Justice and Development Party delegation also attended essential meetings with members of the Legislative Chamber and the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan. They also visited the Center of Islamic Civilization, the Hazrati Imam Complex, the Memorial Complex of the Martyrs of Repression, and the Museums of the Victims of Repression.