ANKARA: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Thursday that the Uzbek president's visit will further deepen the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries. "I believe that this important visit, which has great meaning for us, will further strengthen our cooperation,' President Erdogan said at a joint news conference with Shavkat Mirziyoyev. The Turkish president said he was very pleased to Mirziyoyev and his delegation for a third meeting of the Trkiye-Uzbekistan High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council. 'Today's meeting was successful,' he said, adding that they discussed steps to further deepen the partnership. The pair discussed concrete steps to take in trade, agriculture, transportation, energy, culture, education and the defense industry, he said, and signed agreements as part of the Council meeting, which will diversify the cooperation between the two countries. "We are pleased that Turkish investments in Uzbekistan are increasing day by day. We will continue to encourage our business people to increase their investments in Uzbekistan and establish ties that will strengthen our partnership,' he said. He expressed hope to reach the $5 billion trade volume target as soon as possible. President Erdogan praised Mirziyoyev's effort to draw a 'different horizon' for his country with the Third Renaissance Project. "He (Mirziyoyev) carried Uzbekistan to enviable points with the economic reforms he implemented in a wide range of fields, from energy to agriculture. I wholeheartedly congratulate my brother, who made Uzbekistan a prominent power in a short time,' he said. The Turkish leader also presented the Order of State medal to Mirziyoyev for his unique contributions to the Trkiye-Uzbekistan brotherhood. - Trkiye, Uzbekistan sign 'historical document' Mirziyoyev said they signed a historical document on deepening the comprehensive strategic partnership. Noting that Erdogan's interest and affection for Uzbekistan has increased over the years, Mirziyoyev said the meeting was 've ry meaningful' and they built 'new and stronger bridges for cooperation.' 'In recent years, Trkiye has had a large population and reputation not only in its own region and the Islamic world but all over the world. It has become a rapidly developing country in all areas," he said. Stressing that Trkiye was a reliable partner that first recognized and supported the independence of Uzbekistan, Mirziyoyev said that although Trkiye is far from his country, they have a common language, religion and traditions that bind "brotherly peoples" together. In 1991, Trkiye was the first country to recognize the newly independent Uzbekistan, and diplomatic relations were established in 1992. Ankara attaches great importance to the improvement of cooperation with the Turkic Republic of Uzbekistan in all fields and wishes to further develop its relations, benefiting from the close ties. Trkiye-Uzbekistan cooperation leads to positive reflections At the Trkiye-Uzbekistan Business Forum, President Erdogan said they have ac hieved tremendous development and momentum in bilateral relations in recent years. "We are taking steps to further strengthen our economic and commercial cooperation and improve our entrepreneurs' ability to do business together. Our meeting today is essentially a clear manifestation of this understanding,' President Erdogan said at the Trkiye-Uzbekistan Business Forum. Underlining that their cooperation leads to positive reflections not only for the two countries but also in the Eurasian axis centered on Central Asia, he said: 'I think that the Turkish model can be a guide in Uzbekistan's infrastructure projects and development moves, and I would like to emphasize that we are ready to work with our Uzbek brothers in every field.' Joint projects will strengthen Uzbekistan's reform and development process and make strategic contributions to regional stability, he said. "We proudly follow Turkish companies operating in various fields, from energy to investment, from construction to industry," the president added. Source: Anadolu Agency
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