# Turkey-Uzbekistan diplomatic and cultural relations

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/turkey-uzbekistan-diplomatic-and-cultural-relations
> Updated: 2026-09-24T11:35:17.000Z. Sources: 22. Developments: 2.

During the 35th anniversary celebrations of Uzbekistan’s independence, Turkish officials engaged in high-level visits to Tashkent to strengthen bilateral relations.

In late August, Ruhi Ersoy, Chief Advisor to MHP Leader Devlet Bahçeli, met with Speaker of the Oliy Majlis Nuriddin Ismoilov. Ersoy praised Uzbekistan’s economic and social reforms under President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, specifically referencing the “Third Renaissance” vision and the $100 billion New Tashkent city project.

In September, Turkish Culture and Tourism Minister Mehmet Nuri Ersoy met with Uzbekistan Tourism Committee Chairman Abdulaziz Akkulov. Discussions focused on increasing tourism mobility, enhancing air connections, and developing joint cultural and gastronomic routes. The Minister noted significant growth in Uzbek visitors to Turkey, with over 406,000 recorded in the first seven months of 2026.

Building on these efforts, Minister Ersoy met with Uzbek Culture Minister Ozodbek Nazarbekov to establish a 2026-2027 Cultural Cooperation Plan. This agreement prioritizes the protection of shared cultural heritage, archaeological collaboration, and restoration expertise. Tourism initiatives were expanded to include the development of routes connecting Turkish cities with Samarkand, Bukhara, Khiva, and Tashkent, alongside the potential implementation of Turkey’s ‘Night Museum’ model.

Further deepening ties, the nations agreed to a memorandum of understanding regarding music and performing arts, as well as audiovisual and film co-productions. These cultural exchanges are supported by the launch of Turkish film days in Uzbekistan and the translation of significant intellectual works, such as the Uzbek edition of ‘The Thought World of Maturidi’.

## Claims

- Turkish Culture and Tourism Minister Mehmet Nuri Ersoy visited Tashkent to mark Uzbekistan's 35th independence anniversary. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- The number of visitors from Uzbekistan to Turkey approached 650,000 in 2025. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- In the first seven months of 2026, visitor numbers from Uzbekistan to Turkey exceeded 406,000. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- Discussions between Turkey and Uzbekistan included tourism mobility, air connections, and joint tourism routes. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- Proposed joint routes would connect destinations like Samarkand, Bukhara, Khiva, and Tashkent with various Turkish cities. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- Ersoy attended a program at Ali Shir Nevayi Tashkent State University of Uzbek Language and Literature for the Uzbek translation of 'The Thought World of Maturidi'. (corroborated by 3 sources)

## Timeline

### 2026-09-24: Turkey and Uzbekistan expand cultural and tourism cooperation

Turkish Minister Mehmet Nuri Ersoy visited Uzbekistan to sign cultural cooperation agreements, focusing on tourism, heritage preservation, and film co-productions to strengthen bilateral ties.

19 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/turkey-and-uzbekistan-discuss-tourism-and-cultural-cooperation-in-tashkent

### 2026-08-27: Uzbekistan independence celebrations attended by MHP advisor Ruhi Ersoy

MHP advisor Ruhi Ersoy visited Tashkent to celebrate Uzbekistan's 35th independence anniversary, praising the nation's 'Third Renaissance' vision and economic reforms under President Mirziyoyev.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/uzbekistan-independence-celebrations-attended-by-mhp-advisor-ruhi-ersoy

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Cite as: Turkey-Uzbekistan diplomatic and cultural relations. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/turkey-uzbekistan-diplomatic-and-cultural-relations