Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan hosted a meeting with a delegation of Turkey led by Deputy Foreign Minister Mehmet Fatih Ceylan on 11 December 2012, the Uzbek ministry said in a statement.

During the meeting, the sides considered current state of bilateral cooperation in political-diplomatic, trade-economic, investment, cultural-humanitarian and perspective directions of boosting interaction between two nations.

It was noted that positive experience of Uzbek-Turkish dialogue in various areas were accrued during 20 years of diplomatic relations between two states.

Currently, Uzbekistan and Turkey signed 81 bilateral documents. Mutual trade turnover hit US$1.188 billion in 2011. Some 516 enterprises with Turkish capital are operating in Uzbekistan. Turkey invested US$353 million to implement State Investment Programme of Uzbekistan in 2011-2012.

The sides expressed interest in implementation of mutual beneficial projects in Navoi free industrial-economic zone and Angren special economic zone, where customs and tax preferences are provided for investors.

The sides reached agreement on further expanding relations in various levels in tourism sector, contacts among institutions of healthcare, science, education, culture and art.

During the meeting, the sides considered international issues, including situation in Afghanistan and other regional problems. On the same, the delegation of Ministries of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan and Turkey at the level of the deputy foreign ministries held next round of political consultations.

Ambassador of Extraordinary and Penitentiary of Turkey to Uzbekistan Mehmet Sertac Sonmezay participated at the meetings. (Source: UzDaily.com)