Azernews.Az

By Aynur Jafarova

Turkey is interested in boosting relations with Uzbekistan in different sectors, including politics, economy, art, and culture, the new ambassador of Turkey to Uzbekistan said on March 5.

In December 1991, Turkey was the first country which recognized Uzbekistan's independence, Namik Guner Erpul told reporters.

To date, the two countries have signed more than 100 agreements and protocols, he said, adding that the issue provides a legal basis for bilateral relations.

The Treaty of Eternal Friendship and Cooperation, inked in May, 1996, is the most important agreement signed by the two countries, he said.

"The first article of the treaty reads: "Turkey and Uzbekistan are friends and brothers, they build up their relations relying on cooperation and mutual trust." Turkey is determined to develop its relations with Uzbekistan in this context," the ambassador said. "Our aim was also expressed by Turkish Prime Minister Racap Tayyip Erdogan, who met with the Uzbek president during the opening of the Winter Olympics in Sochi."

Erpul also noted trade and economic relations between the two countries are developing continuously. In 2013, the trade turnover between the two countries increased by 8 percent and amounted to $ 1.25 billion.

Today, some 450 companies operate in Uzbekistan with Turkish investments. They are operating in the fields of textile, food, and pharmaceutical industries, as well as services, building materials, construction, and production of plastic products.

"These figures do not reflect the real potential of cooperation. Trade and economic relations with Uzbekistan should reach higher levels without wasting time," the Turkish ambassador stressed. "We believe that regular bilateral visits, holding business forums and exhibitions will help greatly ensure closer cooperation between business circles of both countries."