Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Recep Tayyip Erdoğan hold talks in Samarkand

President Erdoğan said: “I could not attend the late Islam Karimov’s funeral because I was in China on the occasion of the G20 Summit. Deputy Prime Minister Tuğrul Türkeş represented our country at the ceremony. I visited his grave today and performed the duty on behalf of my nation. I wish Allah may bless the soul of the late Karimov and I offer my condolences to the Uzbek people.”

Turkish President stated that Uzbekistan is the guarantee of the region’s stability due to its deep-rooted state tradition, historical heritage and strategic position.

Underscoring that they wanted to carry the relations between the two countries to a level befitting the eternal brotherhood of the Turks and the Uzbeks, President Erdoğan said: “This is not only as a necessity of our shared interests but also as a requirement of our brotherhood and historical responsibility.”

“In this new period, we must work to improve our relations in all areas,” President Erdoğan said, adding that the first official visits at presidential level following the elections in Uzbekistan should be between Ankara and Tashkent.

“Our Foreign Ministers held important talks last month in Tashkent. We charted a road map during the meeting. We are waiting for the precious contributions and suggestions of the Uzbek side to this document. By quickly carrying into effect the content of the document, we will make up for the lost time soon,” he said.

Uzbek Interim President voiced his pleasure to host President Erdoğan in Uzbekistan and said: “I thank you once again for sending a delegation at deputy prime minister level to our country to share our grief for the passing of Islam Karimov and convey a message of condolence. I thank you for personally coming here today to pay your respects to Islam Karimov and the Uzbek people.”

Mirziyoyev stated that Turkey had been the first country to recognize Uzbekistan’s independence and had provided great support and said: “We will never forget this,” he said.

Interim President of Uzbekistan addressed President Erdoğan: “It is now time to implement what we say. Our two great peoples should show their brotherhood to the entire world through cooperation.”

After the talks, two leaders had a face-to-face meeting and attended a working luncheon between delegations.