PARIS, October 31. /Dunyo IA/. Karim Ifrak, Researcher at the French National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS) and Doctor of the École Pratique des Hautes Études (EPHE), commented for Dunyo IA on the participation of the President of Uzbekistan in the 13^th Summit of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) in Ankara:

- Active and constructive position of Uzbekistan, which has significantly strengthened its role on the international stage in recent years, deserves special attention. Under the leadership of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, country consistently pursues an open, pragmatic and multi-vector foreign policy, actively participating in the activities of the UN, SCO, OTS and other international organizations.

It is noteworthy that Uzbekistan’s participation in the OTS is primarily of a practical nature. Since joining the organization in 2019, Tashkent has put forward dozens of initiatives aimed at expanding mutual trade, industrial cooperation, developing transport infrastructure, digital transformation, education, and scientific and technological cooperation. The Samarkand Summit of 2022 became an important milestone, contributing to the strengthening of institutional mechanisms and the expansion of the organization's economic agenda.

In particular, Uzbekistan’s initiatives to establish a “Digital Turkic Corridor”, develop cooperation in the fields of artificial intelligence and cybersecurity, as well as form joint mechanisms for financing innovative projects and technological startups, deserve high praise. These proposals demonstrate Tashkent's commitment to giving the organization's activities a modern technological dimension and creating additional opportunities for the economic growth of the member states.

From a European perspective, Uzbekistan's efforts to develop Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor, improve customs procedures and promote the “China–Kyrgyzstan–Uzbekistan” railway project are of particular importance. The implementation of these initiatives can strengthen transport connectivity between Central Asia and Europe, diversify international trade routes and increase the resilience of global supply chains.

I am convinced that Uzbekistan’s consistent policy, its commitment to open dialogue, and its drive for concrete results will contribute to transforming the Organization of Turkic States into an even more effective mechanism for economic, technological and cultural interaction that serves the interests of all member states and their international partners.