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A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at formalizing institutional cooperation between the Center for Eurasian Studies (AVİM) and the International Institute for Central Asia (IICA) of the Republic of Uzbekistan was signed online on 11 August 2026.

The signing ceremony was attended by Ambassador (Ret.) Alev Kılıç, Director of AVİM, and Ambassador Javlon Vakhabov, Director of IICA. During the meeting, both institutions reaffirmed their commitment to developing practical, results-oriented, and sustainable cooperation focused on Central Asia, Türkiye, and the wider Eurasian region.

The Memorandum of Understanding establishes an institutional framework for regular interaction among researchers, joint research activities, exchange of publications, expert consultations, and mutual participation in events. Both sides agreed on the need to move swiftly from the formal signing to concrete activities.

In this context, priority was given to the following areas:

• Practical cooperation within the framework of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS),

• Development of the Middle Corridor,

• Opportunities for cooperation in trade and investment.

Particular agreement was reached on organizing a joint round table ahead of the Organization of Turkic States Summit to be held in Ankara later this year. This round table is planned to serve as the first concrete step toward implementing the priority research areas outlined in the MoU.

Additionally, agreement was reached on contributions by IICA experts to AVİM’s Eurasian World journal and daily bulletins, as well as on the joint production of analytical materials and the exchange of commentaries on regional developments.

Both sides emphasized that the partnership should remain practical, regular, and focused on concrete intellectual outcomes, and stated that the content of joint activities would be prepared collaboratively in the coming period. It was also decided that the physical copies of the Memorandum of Understanding would be exchanged in Ankara during a future visit.

This new institutional framework between AVİM and IICA aims to contribute to strengthening strategic relations between Türkiye and Uzbekistan at the think-tank level.