Minister of Culture and Tourism Mehmet Nuri Ersoy visited the capital Tashkent on the occasion of the 35th anniversary of Uzbekistan's independence.
As part of his visit, Ersoy first met with the Chairman of the Uzbekistan Tourism Committee, Abdulaziz Akkulov, and congratulated the anniversary of Uzbekistan's independence and conveyed his wishes for peace, prosperity and well-being to the brother Uzbek people.
During the meeting, tourism mobility between the two countries, air connections, joint tourism routes, promotional activities and mutual experience sharing were discussed.
Minister Ersoy stated that the strong historical and cultural ties between Türkiye and Uzbekistan are increasingly reflected in tourism relations. He stated that the number of visitors coming to Turkey from Uzbekistan approached 650 thousand in 2025 and exceeded 406 thousand in the first seven months of 2026.
Ersoy focused on strengthening mutual air connections, increasing destination diversity and promoting the tourism products of the two countries more effectively; He stated that common routes with the themes of culture, gastronomy and history can be developed that will bring together different cities of Turkey with destinations such as Samarkand, Bukhara, Khiva and Tashkent.
Ersoy stated that they closely follow Uzbekistan's efforts to strengthen its tourism infrastructure and increase its visibility in international markets and emphasized that Turkey is ready to share its knowledge and experience.
MÂTÜRÎDÎ'S WORLD OF THOUGHT MEETS UZBEK READERS
After his tourism contacts, Minister Ersoy visited Türkiye's Tashkent Embassy and met with Ambassador Dr. He met with Ufuk Ulutaş. Ersoy later participated in the promotion program of the work called "Mâtürîdî's World of Thought" and its Uzbek translation, held at Ali Şir Nevâyî Tashkent State Uzbek Language and Literature University.
Minister of Culture of Uzbekistan Ozodbek Nazarbekov, Deputy Minister of Culture and Tourism Dr. Serdar Çam, Libraries and Publications General Manager Taner Beyoğlu, Fine Arts General Director Ömer Faruk Belviranlı, Yunus Emre Institute President Prof. Dr. Selim Argun and Head of European Union and Foreign Relations Department Gözde Şahin also attended.
Ersoy said that the strategic cooperation between the two countries is nourished by historical bonds of brotherhood and common values. He emphasized that the strong will of the Presidents of the two countries, close dialogue and mutual trust strengthen the relations day by day.
Pointing to the intellectual heritage of Imam Mâtürîdî, who was raised in Samarkand, and the works of Ali Şir Nevâyî, who shaped the language and literature of the Turkish world, Ersoy said, "With the steps we take, we establish a living link between the great works produced centuries ago and the cultural production of our age." he said.
TRANSLATION SUPPORT FOR 4 THOUSAND 832 WORKS IN 101 COUNTRIES WITH TEDA
Explaining that the work titled "Mâtürîdî's World of Thought", which is a publication of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, was translated into Uzbek within the scope of the TEDA Program carried out by the General Directorate of Libraries and Publications, Ersoy stated that support was provided for the translation of 4 thousand 832 works into 70 different languages in 101 countries through the program.
Stating that cooperation with Uzbekistan in the field of publishing has also improved, Ersoy noted that support was provided for the translation and publication of 25 works in Uzbekistan within the scope of TEDA.
Touching on the importance of societies knowing each other for the permanence of cultural relations, Ersoy said:
"The ties between societies that know each other's language, literature, art and culture will be much stronger and more permanent. At this point, our cultural institutions, universities, academicians, artists and translators have a great responsibility."
SUPPORT FOR SHARED CULTURAL PRODUCTION IN TASHKENT
Ersoy also touched upon the activities of Yunus Emre Institute in Uzbekistan, which include teaching Turkish, culture and art activities, academic contacts, publications and translation works, and stated that they found it valuable that the Tashkent Yunus Emre Turkish Cultural Center, which continues its activities hosted by the university, has become a permanent common production ground that brings together the scientific, cultural and artistic circles of the two countries.
The program also included the exhibition "Leaves from Turkish Culture" organized by Yunus Emre Institute and the promotion of contemporary and classical Turkish literature works translated into Uzbek with the support of TEDA.
IT WILL CONTINUE WITH VISIT, CULTURE AND ART PROGRAMS
Following his contacts in Tashkent, Minister Ersoy will visit the Uzbekistan Islamic Civilization Center and meet with the Minister of Culture of Uzbekistan, Ozodbek Nazarbekov.
Ersoy, who will attend the signing ceremony of the Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in the Field of Culture between the General Directorate of Fine Arts and the Uzbekistan Philharmonic Orchestra, will then attend the gala concert of the 35th anniversary of independence to be held at the Uzbekistan International Councils Palace.
