President of the Constitutional Court, Mr. Kadir Özkaya, and the accompanying delegation paid a working visit to Uzbekistan at the invitation of the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

As part of the visit, bilateral and inter-delegation meetings were held between President of the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Türkiye, Mr. Kadir Özkaya, and Chairman of the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Mr. Mirza Ulugbek Abdusalomov. The discussions centred on prospects for further enhancing institutional cooperation and expanding the exchange of judicial experience in the fields of constitutional adjudication and the protection of human rights.

Following the meetings, the two courts signed a memorandum of understanding aimed at deepening judicial cooperation.

Subsequently, an international roundtable discussion was held on the topic “The Constitutional Court of the Republic of Türkiye: Modern Practice of Constitutional Justice, Systemic Development, and International Cooperation”. In his address, President Özkaya extended his sincere appreciation to the host Court for the invitation to Uzbekistan and for the gracious hospitality extended to him and his delegation. He noted that Uzbekistan, with its deep-rooted historical and cultural heritage, holds a distinguished position in the region, and that the continued strengthening of this heritage through a modern approach to statehood is observed with satisfaction.

Pointing out that the enduring bonds between Türkiye and Uzbekistan underpin their judicial collaboration, President Özkaya highlighted the memorandum as a reflection of this longstanding fraternity between the two countries in the sphere of justice. He also underscored that the memorandum is vital for ensuring the continuity of relations and responding to the evolving needs of both courts.

Highlighting the pivotal role of constitutional courts in upholding the rule of law and safeguarding fundamental rights, President Özkaya emphasised the importance of cultivating dialogue between diverse legal systems and expanding the exchange of judicial expertise. He further noted that constitutional justice has moved beyond national borders, becoming an integral part of an increasingly evolving global legal dialogue.

President Özkaya further affirmed Türkiye’s firm commitment to supporting the further development of cooperation within the framework of the Conference of Constitutional Jurisdictions of the Turkic World (TÜRK-AY) and the Association of Asian Constitutional Courts and Equivalent Institutions (AACC), which is currently presided by the Constitutional Court of Uzbekistan. He underscored, in this respect, the crucial role of regional judicial cooperation as an essential instrument in consolidating constitutional principles and the rule of law.

Chairman of the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Mr. Mirza Ulugbek Abdusalomov, stated that the visit represents a highly valuable opportunity for advancing cooperation between the constitutional courts of the two countries. Emphasising the increasingly prominent and transformative role of constitutional adjudication, Mr. Abdusalomov remarked: “The exchange of experience and sustained dialogue among constitutional courts is not only of practical utility, but also contributes to the establishment of universally recognised standards in the field of human rights. Endowed with deep-rooted historical and institutional expertise, the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Türkiye serves as a prominent body of constitutional review, uniquely positioned at the crossroads of European and Asian legal traditions. Actively involved in various international platforms, the Turkish Constitutional Court significantly contributes to the development of constitutional justice through its annual summer school programmes under the auspices of the AACC. These programmes are dedicated to fostering the professional skills of judicial staff and cementing institutional collaboration across borders.”

During the meeting, which provided a platform for the exchange of institutional knowledge and experience, Member of the Turkish Constitutional Court, Mr. Yıldız Seferinoğlu, delivered a presentation on the Court’s procedural framework, working principles and institutional functioning. Underscoring the pivotal role of constitutional adjudication in safeguarding fundamental rights and freedoms, Mr. Seferinoğlu noted that the Turkish Constitutional Court has established significant jurisprudential expertise in both norm review and individual application mechanisms. He further highlighted that the individual application mechanism facilitates the direct and effective protection of rights and that the Court continues to shape the legal order through its justice-oriented approach and the established case-law.

As part of his official engagements in Uzbekistan, President Özkaya also paid visits to Governor of Bukhara region Mr. Botir Komilovich Zaripov, Ambassador of the Republic of Türkiye to Tashkent Mr. Ufuk Ulutaş, and Consul General in Samarkand Mr. Serdar Deniz. During the visit, President Özkaya was accompanied by Members of the Turkish Constitutional Court, Mr. Yıldız Seferinoğlu, Mr. Selahaddin Menteş, Mr. Muhterem İnce, Mr. Yılmaz Akçil, Mr. Şaban Kazdal, together with Secretary General Mr. Murat Azaklı and other officials.