The key facts

  • A cooperation plan between the customs services of Turkey and Uzbekistan for 2027–2028 has been signed
  • An action plan on the mutual recognition of Authorized Economic Operator programs has been agreed
  • The parties reaffirmed the goal of $5 billion in bilateral trade turnover

Documents signed

Turkey and Uzbekistan signed a package of documents on developing customs cooperation in Istanbul on November 10, following the sixth meeting of the Joint Customs Council of the two countries. The meeting was co-chaired by Turkey's Deputy Minister of Trade Sezai Uçarmak and the Chairman of the Customs Administration of Uzbekistan Akmalkhudzha Mavlonov, the Turkish Ministry of Trade reported (Anadolu).

What exactly was agreed

The parties signed a cooperation plan aimed at maintaining effective interaction between the customs administrations for 2027–2028, an action plan on the mutual recognition of Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) programs, as well as a memorandum of understanding on the sixth session of the council. The discussions covered customs law enforcement, the fight against smuggling, mutual recognition of AEO programs, and joint projects within the Organization of Turkic States.

Exchange of advance information and trade turnover

The parties also agreed to work on an additional protocol that will ensure the implementation of the agreement on the exchange of advance information about vehicles and goods crossing the border. According to the ministry, that agreement itself was signed by Turkish Trade Minister Omer Bolat at the 13th summit of the Organization of Turkic States on October 29. At the meeting in Istanbul, the parties reaffirmed their commitment to the goal of raising bilateral trade turnover to $5 billion.