Huge expectations from Erdogan's visit: Uzbek envoy

By Zuhal Demirci

ANKARA (AA) - The Uzbek ambassador in Ankara said he had great expectations from Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's visit to Uzbekistan.

Erdogan will make a 3-day official visit to the central Asian country starting on Sunday. He is expected to discuss the bilateral economic and political relations with Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev.

"Twenty agreements are expected to be signed during the meetings between leaders of the two countries," Alisher Agzamhadjaev told Anadolu Agency in an exclusive interview.

Agzamhadjaev said during the times when Uzbek-Turkish relations had deteriorated, some businesses were unjustly shut down.

"Our support to recover these [losses] will continue," Agzamhadjaev said.

The envoy also expected help from the Turkish construction sector in building new hotels in Uzbekistan.

He added that visa-free travel for Turkish citizens had boosted tourism sector in Uzbekistan.

"An agreement was reached to start flights from Istanbul to Bukhara, Qarshi and Urgench cities. They will launch soon."

Agzamhadjaev mentioned that existing flights between Istanbul-Tashkent and Istanbul-Samarkand will also increase.

Also, there will be flights from Tashkent to Ankara, Izmir and Antalya, he added.

Agzamhadjaev said Uzbekistan wants to reach Marmaray railway line in Istanbul via Baku-Tblisi-Kars railroad, and connect to Europe.

He praised the efforts of the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency's (TIKA) in Uzbekistan and thanked TIKA Chairman Serdar Cam.

"Especially, the support of TIKA to the villages where transportation is difficult, is important for us. TIKA establishes mobile clinics there and helps people."