Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- On 16 September, as part of the Samarkand SCO summit, President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev met with President of the Republic of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Recep Tayyip Erdogan congratulated the head of Uzbekistan on the successful holding of the SCO summit and expressed sincere gratitude for the invitation to take part as an honored guest.

During the meeting, the leaders exchanged views on the issues of intensifying the multifaceted Uzbek-Turkish cooperation based on mutual respect, friendship and trust.

The importance of further deepening political, diplomatic, inter-parliamentary, trade, economic, cultural and humanitarian ties was especially noted in the light of bringing bilateral relations to the level of a comprehensive strategic partnership.

The parties expressed satisfaction with the significant intensification of mutual contacts as part of the implementation of the agreements reached at the highest level in Tashkent on 29-30 March 2022.

There has been a noticeable increase in trade figures between the two countries. In particular, last year the increase was more than 60 percent.

The number of joint ventures has exceeded 2,000. Since the beginning of this year alone, investments totaling about half a billion US dollars have been disbursed.

There is a high interest of Turkish companies to participate in the process of privatization of state-owned enterprises in Uzbekistan.

Further agreements were reached on the implementation of joint projects in the fields of agriculture, transport, electrical engineering, textile and leather industries, building materials, innovations, high technologies, tourism and culture.

The energy industry is highlighted as a promising area. In recent years, the parties have been implementing projects worth almost US$1 billion.

The meeting also considered a schedule of upcoming events, including within the framework of the planned summit of the Organization of Turkic States in Samarkand.

The meeting of the Presidents of Uzbekistan and Turkey was traditionally held in a warm, trusting and friendly atmosphere.