Director of Communications Altun: "We aim to develop a more refined and robust relationship built on the solid ground between Türkiye and Uzbekistan. To achieve this, we must first fully open the doors to direct communication and interaction."
Presidency's Director of Communications Fahrettin Altun penned an article on "Direct Communication and Cultural Capital in Relations between Türkiye and Uzbekistan" for the Xalq So'zi (People's Word) Newspaper published in Uzbekistan.
In the article, Director of Communications Altun notes that the political and economic relations between Türkiye and Uzbekistan have grown rapidly in recent years, that every country needs more allies at a time when world politics is in flux, and that they view Uzbekistan as one of Türkiye's primary allies.
Director of Communications Altun states that forging strong cultural ties between Uzbekistan and Türkiye on a common cultural ground is the easiest and most certain way to establish friendly relations, adding that President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan attaches special importance to relations with Uzbekistan and Türkiye is amenable to all forms of cooperation.
Director of Communications Altun points out, "We feel joy knowing that our Uzbek brothers in our ancestral lands have the same sentiments and thoughts, and witnessing it each time."
"We wish to keep our friendship with our Uzbek brothers and sisters cordial"
Observing that many geopolitical crises have erupted all over the world, even in Europe, which feels it has established a stable order in its own way, Director of Communications Altun further notes:
"In many parts of the world, from Ukraine to Libya, Syria to Afghanistan, there is draining instability. Civil conflicts and proxy wars can irreversibly destroy a country's resources. Unfortunately, a number of the neighbouring and friendly countries suffered severe downturns in this sense. We have entered an era in which we must all be vigilant and act in unison. Every country should have genuine allies. Türkiye and Uzbekistan are two countries that can rely on one another during such a period. Uzbekistan, a trustworthy ally and a fraternal country for Türkiye, shines as a beacon of stability in Central Asia. I would like to emphasise how much we esteem Uzbekistan's political stability, sovereignty, and security, just as much as we do Türkiye's. We understand the importance of having allies in such times of uncertainty, and we always wish to keep our friendship with our Uzbek brothers and sisters cordial."
Noting that the Presidents of the two countries have laid the groundwork for both political and economic cooperation, Director of Communications Altun states that significant progress has been made in this context, particularly since 2017.
"We are the colours of a shared linguistic family"
Director of Communications Altun states that the two countries' political and economic ties are insufficient to explain their friendship and added:
"I believe that we can look to the future with more optimism and that cultural ties can deepen our countries' friendship as long as we can do it on the common cultural ground. We have the greatest means available to accomplish this. We are the colours of a shared linguistic family. Our political and economic relations may have taken various forms throughout history. Our shared cultural capital, on the other hand, stands firm and continues to connect Uzbekistan and Türkiye. Who can deny the scientific and cultural journey from Ulugh Beg to Ali al-Qushji, and then to Sultan Mehmed the Conqueror and Sahn-ı Seman Medrese? Who can ignore that we have landed on a cultural and civilisation basin graced by luminaries like Imam al-Bukhari, al-Tirmidhi, al-Khwarizmi, al-Biruni, Ibn Sina (Avicenna), and Omar Khayyam? Whatever the political and strategic importance of Uzbekistan-Türkiye relations today, they are built on such a strong cultural foundation that feelings of social brotherhood will always spark friendly relations. We aim to develop a more refined and robust relationship built on the solid ground between Türkiye and Uzbekistan. To achieve this, we must first open the doors to direct communication and interaction. Without any intermediaries, Uzbekistan's voice should be heard from Türkiye, and Türkiye's voice should be heard from Uzbekistan. Beyond the state-to-state relationship, our dialogue should be based on a society-to-society relationship."
Highlighting that strong friendship ties will be an important cultural capital in overcoming the geopolitical and geoeconomic challenges that both countries will face, Director of Communications Altun states in his article, "It will be a great privilege for the Turkish nation and state to walk together with our Uzbek brothers at a time when uncertainties and risks have escalated even more."