First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Norov,
Dear Colleagues,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

It’s a big pleasure for me to be here with you today on the occasion of the 88th Anniversary of the Proclamation of the Republic of Turkey. I would like to sincerely thank you for your attendance to our event.

Taking this opportunity I would also like to congratulate the brotherly people of Uzbekistan who have celebrated the 20th anniversary of their independence.

I believe some of you are already aware that Turkey is the first country, who recognized the independence of Uzbekistan and opened its Embassy in Tashkent. Since that moment our relations have developed rapidly.

Presently, some 400 Turkish companies with their investments exceeding $1 billion play an important role in the Uzbek economy, employing approximately 50 thousand persons and exporting to third countries for an amount of $300 million.

Our bilateral trade which was $1.1 billion in 2010 has reached $750 million as of July 2011, showing %15 growth. Considering that 2011 was not an “easy year” for the Turkish investors in Uzbekistan, the above figures are very significant.

Dear Guests,

Our goals for 2023, the year of 100th Anniversary of our Republic are to:

- Be one of the top 10 economies in the world (currently 16th),
- Reach a GDP total of 2 trillion Dollars (Close to 1 trillion in 2010),
- Have 1 trillion Dollars of annual trade volume (300 billion in 2010)
- Receive 50 million tourists (28 million in 2010)

According to the Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) analysts, Turkish economy will grow % 6.7 annually between the years 2011-2017, making it one of the world’s fastest developing economies. Therefore we believe our goals are quite feasible and will carry Turkey from the group of regional powers to the group of world powers.

I would also like to take this opportunity to extend my heartfelt thanks, on behalf of the Turkish nation, to H.E. Karimov, President of the Republic of Uzbekistan for his condolence messages, concerning the recent terrorist attacks and the severe earthquake we have witnessed in Turkey.

I raise my glass to health, happiness, and success of the people and the leaders of our brotherly countries.