Uzbek president, Hungarian premier discuss bilateral ties, cooperation

By Burc Eruygur

ISTANBUL (AA) – Uzbekistan’s president and Hungary’s prime minister discussed bilateral issues and cooperation in a meeting on Thursday.

Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Viktor Orban met in Samarkand ahead of Friday’s summit of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS).

They exchanged views on ways to expand practical cooperation and strengthen bilateral relations, according to a statement from the Uzbek presidency.

Discussions focused particularly on promotion of joint investment projects in areas such as chemicals, pharmaceuticals, the banking and financial sectors, and transport and logistics, the statement said.

“An agreement was reached on accelerating the creation of mechanisms to financially support these business initiatives,” it added.

Leaders of the five full OTS members – Türkiye, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan – and observer states Hungary and Turkmenistan will gather in Samarkand on Friday.

Decisions on several important regional issues are expected at the meeting, while the leaders will also finalize agreements in the field of economy, trade, transport, and customs, according to the OTS.