The Minister of National Education Yusuf Tekin first met with the Minister of Education of Pakistan Rana Tanveer Hussain during the meeting held in Istanbul.

Stating that he is glad to meet on the occasion of the 4th Meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Economic Cooperation Organization Education Institute (ECOEI), Minister Tekin stressed that Türkiye and Pakistan have deep-rooted historical and cultural ties.

Expressing that they attach great importance to bilateral relations with Pakistan, Tekin said that these mutual visits contributed to achieving concrete and functional results in cooperation. Minister added that the contacts between two countries will increasingly continue within the framework of new cooperation.

Noting that they want to improve cooperation in education and social fields with Pakistan, as they do in the whole geography of the heart, Minister Tekin stated that they are ready to take the necessary steps for this aim.

Expressing that Türkiye and Pakistan are two brother nations, the Minister of Education of Pakistan Rana Tanveer Hussaın stated that they want to establish deep relations in the field of education.

Minister Tekin then held a meeting with the Deputy Minister of Education of Uzbekistan, Usman Sharifkhodjaev.

Stating that the Turkish and Uzbek people, who are members of the common civilization, have preserved their bonds of love and feelings of brotherhood throughout history and have supported each other as much as possible in every period of history, Minister Tekin stressed that Türkiye-Uzbekistan relations have been rapidly strengthened under the leadership of the Honorable Presidents of both countries. Stating that there are more opportunities for cooperation between the two countries in many fields, especially in education, science and technology, Minister Tekin said that he believes that they will work closer in order to offer better education opportunities to children.

Stating that he is glad to be in Türkiye, Deputy Minister of Education of Uzbekistan Sharifkhodjaev noted that they will make every effort to further develop the cooperation between the two countries.

Minister Tekin also met with Secretary General of ECO Ambassador Khusrav Nozır as part of bilateral meetings. Noting that the Economic Cooperation Organization plays a major role in the institutionalization of development in the region, Minister Tekin said that Türkiye as the founding member attach great importance to ECO. Stating that it is their greatest wish to provide the appropriate ground for the activities of the Education Institute, which aims to bring together the common values of the ECO geography, and to increase the cooperation between the ECO and its member countries on education, Minister Tekin stressed that the support of the Secretary General of ECO in this regard is very important for Türkiye.

Noting that the direct relationship between education and development is an important element that shapes the basic philosophy of the Institute, Tekin said that the Institute has a strategic structure in terms of strengthening and developing the education systems of the member countries. Minister Tekin said that wish ECO countries to increase their work on cooperation, especially in the field of education and training.

Stating that they are very happy to hold the ECO Education Institute meeting in Türkiye, the Secretary General of ECO Ambassador Khusrav Nozırı said that they will make every effort to achieve the goals of the organization.

Minister Tekin later met with the Minister of National Education of the Turkish Republic of the Northern Cyprus (TRNC) Nazım Çavuşoğlu, who is an observer country of ECO. Stating that they came together again after the meeting held in Ankara in the past few days, Minister Tekin said that he believes these meetings strengthen the unbreakable ties between the countries. Saying that the work they carry out together is important for the Turkish Cypriots to reach the level of development they deserve, Tekin emphasized that in this context, important developments have been achieved in recent years and determined policies have been implemented. Stating that the two countries are connected to each other with strong historical ties, Minister Tekin emphasized that these deep-rooted relations constitute the basis for the two countries to act together. Underlining the importance of education in strengthening the historical bond between countries, Minister Tekin stated that Türkiye sincerely endeavors to convey all innovations and developments in the field of education to Cyprus.

Stating that the relations between the two countries are a necessity of a historical responsibility, the Minister of National Education of the TRNC Nazım Çavuşoğlu noted that they believe that they will carry the relations to better places in this period.

The Deputy Minister Celile Eren Ökten and Director General of the EU and Foreign Relations Tuba Korkmaz were also present at the meeting.

The Minister of National Education Yusuf Tekin hosted a gala dinner after the meetings.