Amman, Sept. 1 (Petra) -- Uzbek Ambassador to Jordan Nodirjon Turgunov said Jordan-Uzbekistan relations are friendly and developing dynamically across various fields, based on mutual respect, trust and historical proximity between the two sides.

In an interview with the Jordan News Agency (Petra) on the occasion of his country’s National Day, Turgunov said His Majesty King Abdullah II’s visit to Uzbekistan in 2025 was an important milestone in bilateral relations. Following His Majesty’s talks with Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, the two sides agreed to elevate bilateral relations to the level of a comprehensive partnership.

He added that the current priority is to ensure the full implementation of all agreements reached during the high-level talks, noting that a number of visits by high-level delegations and meetings between senior officials of the two countries have been organized.

The ambassador said His Majesty King Abdullah II and President Shavkat Mirziyoyev share a similar vision and strong commitment to economic modernization, attracting investment, advancing education and human capital development, empowering youth, promoting intercultural dialogue and supporting regional stability.

He noted that Uzbekistan and Jordan maintain regular political dialogue, as well as coordination and consultations on issues of mutual interest, and cooperate within the framework of the United Nations, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and other international platforms.

The two countries also share positions on the importance of strengthening international law, he said, adding that there are opportunities for mutual support for initiatives and candidacies within international organizations.

Regarding economic and trade cooperation, Turgunov said bilateral trade stood at around $8.6 million in 2025, nearly double the previous year’s level. Uzbekistan’s exports to Jordan amounted to around $5.5 million, while imports from Jordan totaled around $3.1 million.

He noted that bilateral trade increased by 79.2 percent by the end of 2025, according to the Uzbek Ministry of Investment, Industry and Trade, while 18 enterprises with Jordanian investment are currently operating in Uzbekistan.

He pointed to the first meeting of the Jordanian-Uzbek Intergovernmental Commission, held in April 2026, where the two sides agreed to intensify contacts between business communities, organize joint exhibitions and launch the activities of the Business Council.

The ambassador said Jordan’s participation in the Tashkent International Investment Forum provided an additional opportunity to strengthen contacts between Jordanian and Uzbek companies and discuss specific investment projects.

In the field of transport, Turgunov welcomed the launch of direct flights between Amman and Tashkent, noting that Royal Jordanian began operating regular direct flights between the two capitals as of July 1 this year, at a rate of two flights per week.

He also noted the introduction of a reciprocal visa-free regime for citizens of the two countries, which facilitates travel and strengthens tourism, business contacts and people-to-people ties.

Uzbekistan is also considering organizing direct charter flights between Tashkent and Aqaba, he said, adding that such flights would contribute to increasing tourism flows between the two countries.

Uzbekistan is distinguished by historical tourist destinations such as Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva, while Jordan offers unique tourism, religious and historical sites, including Amman, Petra and Wadi Rum.

Regarding future prospects for cooperation, the ambassador said there are promising opportunities in pharmaceuticals, healthcare, agriculture, industrial cooperation, digitalization, investment and logistics, as well as tourism, education, culture, scientific research and cooperation in the field of Islamic heritage.

He stressed the importance of the humanitarian dimension of bilateral relations, noting that the Jordanian General Iftaa Department and the Fatwa Center of the Administration of Muslims of Uzbekistan signed a memorandum of cooperation on July 8, 2026, covering fatwas, academic research, Islamic jurisprudence and the exchange of expertise on contemporary religious issues.

He also pointed to the possibility of developing joint tourism programs under the "Umrah Plus" format, combining Umrah with visits to historical and cultural sites in the two countries, particularly in light of direct air connectivity and the reciprocal visa exemption.

The ambassador noted that Uzbek students are studying at Jordanian higher education institutions, including the World Islamic Sciences and Education University in Amman, adding that the two sides are working to expand academic exchanges and exchanges of students and faculty members.

Turgunov said Uzbekistan supports the establishment of an independent Palestinian state within the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital, in accordance with United Nations resolutions. He also called for an end to military operations in the Gaza Strip and for humanitarian aid to reach those in need.

He added that a telephone conversation between President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and His Majesty King Abdullah II on March 4, 2026, addressed developments in the Middle East. The two sides stressed the need to halt actions that threaten the sovereignty of states and the security of civilians and to pursue peaceful and diplomatic solutions to conflicts.

Regarding the development of his country, the ambassador said the "Uzbekistan–2030" Strategy reflects a long-term vision for building a modern, competitive and socially oriented economy.

He said Uzbekistan’s gross domestic product exceeded $145 billion for the first time, while exports reached $33.4 billion and attracted foreign investment totaled $43.1 billion. The poverty rate, meanwhile, declined to 5.8 percent.

He noted that Uzbekistan is celebrating the 35th anniversary of its independence this year, adding that recent years have witnessed broad reforms in the economy, public administration, the judiciary, education, healthcare and social protection, alongside greater openness, stronger international relations and an improved investment environment.

He said Uzbekistan’s focus in the next phase will be on the quality and sustainability of economic growth, increasing productivity, innovation and technological development, expanding non-resource exports, green energy, the rational use of water resources and human capital development.

These developments, he said, open new opportunities for Uzbekistan’s partners, including Jordan, to participate in investment and technology projects. He added that the "Uzbekistan–2030" Strategy will contribute to strengthening his country’s role as a reliable economic partner and an important bridge between Central Asia and different regions of the world.

//Petra//WH

Source: https://petra.gov.jo/en/news/uzbek-envoy-jordan-uzbekistan-ties-rapidly-advancing-toward-comprehensive-partnership