UPDATE - Turkish defense minister visits Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan

UPDATE WITH GULER'S STATEMENT

By Yasin Gungor and Bahtiyar Abdulkerimov

ISTANBUL / TASHKENT, Uzbekistan (AA) - Turkish Defense Minister Yasar Guler on Wednesday visited the Central Asian Turkic nations of Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan and met with top leaders.

Guler first arrived in Turkmenistan’s capital Asghabat and was received by President Serdar Berdimuhamedov. He also met with Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, chairman of the Turkmen People's Council. He then visited the Defense Ministry, where he was welcomed by Defense Minister Begenc Gundogdyyew with a military ceremony. During his visit, Guler also toured the Turkmenistan Armed Forces War Academy.

Later, Guler traveled to Uzbekistan’s capital Tashkent and met with President Shevket Mirziyoyev. The presidential office said they discussed deepening the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two nations, following agreements reached during Mirziyoyev's visit to Ankara earlier this month.

The two reviewed the development of military and military-technical cooperation, including the strengthening of relations between ministries, holding joint events, and training military specialists. They also discussed cooperation on security issues, combating terrorism, extremism and radicalism, and ensuring regional peace and stability, including the situation in neighboring Afghanistan.

Guler voiced happiness about visiting Uzbekistan, Turks’ "ancestral homeland," stressing that important decisions were made to enhance bilateral relations, which will be implemented soon in collaboration with Uzbek officials.

"As two brotherly and sisterly countries, hand in hand, we will make every effort to take our relations to higher levels," he said in a statement.