Preferential Trade Agreement will open new possibilities

In 2022, we closed our bilateral trade with 3.2 billion dollars. During the year, 370 new Turkish partner companies were established in our country and the total number reached 2.152. I have full confidence that this momentum will continue to increase. Our target is to reach 4 billion dollars this year and 5 billion dollars next year. In addition, there is a longterm goal of increasing the trade between the two countries to 10 billion dollars.

First of all, I would like to thank you for your efforts and cooperation in publishing the Uzbekistan Special Issue of your newspaper.

Right at the beginning of my speech, I would like to say get well soon to all my Turkish brothers and sisters due to the 6 February earthquakes. I wish mercy to the deceased and a speedy recovery to the injured. The unprecedented and devastating earthquake left an endless sadness and anguish in the hearts of every citizen of Uzbekistan. In fact, the participation of both the Turkish world and

Uzbekistan in the search and rescue efforts and aid campaigns for earthquake victims in Türkiye during the earthquake clearly reveals the current point between our countries. Because, as our ancestors said, a true friend is revealed on a dark day. Our brotherly people have overcome various difficult situations and problems in mutual harmony, assistance and solidarity for thousands of years. The Summit of the Organization of the Turkic States, which was held in Ankara a short time ago under the term presidency of our country, was also a clear expression of our solidarity. Meanwhile, at the summit, as the term chairman, President of Uzbekistan Şevket Mirziyoyev proposed to declare 6 February every year as the "Day of Remembrance and Solidarity of the Deceased" within the framework of TDT, in order to pay special respect to the bright memory of all people who died early in the earthquake.

We will contribute to the construction of beautiful houses in Hatay

Our President stated that we will contribute appropriately to the reconstruction works in the Ovakent neighborhood of Hatay province, where our search and rescue team also works, which is one of the centers of the earthquake, with beautiful houses, modern schools and infrastructure facilities. In addition, religious tours will be organized to the cities of Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva for the elderly and young earthquake survivors to regain their health and have a holiday in Uzbekistan. All these are actually reflections of the current strategic partnership relations between our fraternal peoples. I am sure that as we stand shoulder to shoulder with our Turkish brothers and sisters in the days of trials, we will also experience the beautiful events in bright days, especially within the scope of the 100th anniversary of the Republic.

The High Level Strategic Cooperation Council (YDSK) between our countries was established in April 2018 within the framework of the official visit of the President of Türkiye Recep Tayyip Erdoğan to our country. This year, we realize the fifth anniversary of the aforementioned history. In the last five years, the relations between our countries have risen to the highest levels thanks to the close friendship and cooperation of our heads of state. The first meeting of our YDSK was held in Ankara in 2020, and the second in Tashkent last year. At the last meeting, it was underlined that our relations have reached the level of “comprehensive strategic partnership”. This means that our countries have intense and close relations in every field. Really it is. The fact that the Turkish investment that has come to our country in the last six years has reached 3.5 billion dollars is a proof of this. Currently, there are 56 flights a week between our various cities. It's easy to say today, but it wouldn't be wrong to say that five years ago these numbers were a dream for us. All of this happened thanks to the YDSK you mentioned and under its coordination.

Our Turkish brothers and sisters have support in every field

Our Turkish brothers and sisters have support in every field in our country. Consultations from Türkiye in fields such as agriculture, airlines, tourism, industry and regional development really do great work and contribute to the development of our country. We have established good contacts with the Turkish Presidency Human Resources Office. In cooperation, we implemented many projects for our executive officers from Uzbekistan to go through professional development, learn how