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BulgariaToday in the Turkic World
Today in the Turkic World: October 18, 2026
Uzbekistan featured prominently today. President Shavkat Mirziyoyev discussed expanding strategic partnership and joint investment projects with a Chinese delegation led by Premier Li Qiang, and will visit Samarkand region on October 18–19. The country will also publish its first national energy master plan through 2050.
Regional diplomacy also stood out. Kyrgyz Foreign Minister Zheenbek Kulubaev will meet US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Samarkand on October 19. In Northern Cyprus, Tufan Erhürman and Nikos Christodoulides attended the Pile Peace Festival, while Turkmenistan proposed a regional desertification centre for Central Asia.
The day's top stories
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Diplomacy · UzDaily
Mirziyoyev and Li Qiang discuss expanding Uzbekistan-China cooperation
Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev held talks on 17 October with a Chinese delegation led by Premier Li Qiang of the State Council. The sides discussed strengthening their strategic partnership, joint investment projects and cooperation in key economic sectors. Li Qiang conveyed greetings from Chinese President Xi Jinping.
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Politics · Gazeta.uz
Mirziyoyev to visit Samarkand on October 18–19
President Shavkat Mirziyoyev will visit Samarkand region on Sunday, according to a statement from the head of state's press service. The visit is scheduled for October 18–19.
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Defense & Security · Report.az
Iranian parliament approves Mehrdad Akhlaqi Ketabchi as defense minister
Iran's parliament has elected Mehrdad Akhlaqi Ketabchi as the country's defense minister, according to a report published on 18 October 2026 by Report.az, which cited Tasnim. A total of 237 lawmakers voted in favor of his appointment.
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Diplomacy · Gazeta.uz
Rubio: There are countries we want to visit to strengthen relations
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio explained the reason for his visit to Uzbekistan and the C5+1 meeting. He spoke to journalists before departing from Joint Base Andrews for Uzbekistan. Asked why he chose to visit Uzbekistan now, amid global crises and instability, Rubio said the timing matched days that were convenient for the leaders of five countries.
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Energy · UzDaily
Uzbekistan to publish first national energy master plan through 2050
Uzbekistan will for the first time develop a National Energy Development Master Plan through 2050 and publish it openly. President Shavkat Mirziyoyev announced this on October 16 at an open dialogue with investors in the fuel and energy sector.
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Politics · Haber Kıbrıs
Erhürman and Christodoulides Share a Table at Pile Peace Festival
On 17 October 2026, the 6th Pile Peace Festival was held in Pile with the participation of President Tufan Erhürman and Greek Cypriot administration leader Nikos Christodoulides. The event was organised by the Turkish and Greek Cypriot village headmen of Pile together with the Pile Office of the UN Peacekeeping Force (UNFICYP).
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Diplomacy · Havadis
Guterres replies to Erhürman letter: “Actions blocking trust-building are discouraging”
UN Secretary-General António Guterres, replying to a letter from Turkish Cypriot President Tufan Erhürman, said obstacles to Turkish Cypriot cultural, sports, political and diplomatic activities are discouraging and run counter to his calls for strengthening mutual trust. According to the Presidency, Guterres answered Erhürman’s letter of 28 August with a letter dated 16 October.
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Diplomacy · KTRK
Kulubaev to hold talks with Marco Rubio in Samarkand on October 19
Kyrgyzstan's Foreign Minister Zheenbek Kulubaev will take part in talks with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on October 19, 2026, according to the Kyrgyz Foreign Ministry as reported by Kaktus.media. The meeting will take place in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, with the heads of diplomatic agencies of five Central Asian states attending.
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Environment & Climate · Turkmenistan Today
Ashgabat proposes regional centre to combat desertification for Central Asia
Turkmenistan's President Serdar Berdimuhamedov proposed the creation of a Regional Centre to Combat Desertification for the countries of Central Asia in a speech at the Leaders' Summit of the UN Biodiversity Conference in Yerevan, on 16 October.
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Diplomacy · Azernews
Ankara wants pragmatism on oil and principles from Baku
In a column for AzerNEWS, Farman Aydin asks whether Ankara regards Baku as an equal sovereign partner or as an ally whose foreign policy should conform to Turkish expectations. The question comes amid controversy over oil exports through the Baku–Tbilisi–Ceyhan (BTC) pipeline. The author argues that strategic partnerships cannot rely on historical sentiment alone and require mutual respect, consistent principles, and recognition that even close allies retain the right to pursue their own national interests.
The summaries on this page were prepared and translated automatically from the original stories. All rights to the stories belong to their sources.