TASHKENT, Uzbekistan

Türkiye's ambassador to Uzbekistan said his country is expecting to take concrete steps in the fields of culture and education with Uzbekistan in 2024.

Speaking to Anadolu in an interview, Türkiye's Ambassador to Tashkent Olgan Bekar said 2023 was an important year in terms of developing bilateral relations and further expanding their scope.

"In 2023, many mutual contacts have accelerated in different fields, from security to economy, from economy to culture and tourism. This shows that our relations are on solid ground and their content is enriching," Bekar said.

Bekar further said many mutual visits and events were held at the highest level between the two countries during the past year, stressing that political and economic ties, as well as relations in the field of defense industry and security, are gradually developing.

He also said Uzbekistan extended a helping hand to Türkiye in the aftermath of the twin quakes in the Kahramanmaras region on Feb. 6, 2022, and has consequently shown it is "a friend in dark times."

Bekar noted that the momentum achieved in bilateral relations in 2023 will also leave its mark on commercial relations, saying the bilateral trade volume reached $3.5 billion despite the negative impact of the earthquake.

He added that his efforts will continue to develop bilateral relations and expand the mutual trade volume this year.

*Writing by Burc Eruygur in Istanbul