On February 26, the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev had a telephone conversation with the President of the Republic of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, sincerely congratulating President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on his birthday, emphasized his efforts and great contribution to the development of friendly relations and strategic partnership, strengthening of mutually beneficial cooperation between Uzbekistan and Turkey.
During the conversation, the heads of the two states noted with deep satisfaction that fruitful meetings and negotiations within the framework of the high-level visit to the Republic of Turkey in October 2017 created a solid basis for further development of multifaceted and mutually beneficial bilateral cooperation and gave it concrete practical content.
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan expressed his sincere gratitude to President Shavkat Mirziyoyev for his congratulations and good wishes. He emphasized that in the person of the President of Uzbekistan he had found a true friend and like-minded person in comprehensive strengthening of Uzbek-Turkish cooperation.
The sides agreed to fully implement concrete arrangements reached and agreements signed following the historic visit, including major joint projects in trade, investment, banking, finance, transport, tourism and other important spheres.
It was noted that it is important to organize a regular meeting of the Intergovernmental Joint Commission on trade and economic cooperation in order to discuss issues of preparation for the upcoming visit of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to the Republic of Uzbekistan and implementation of previous agreements.
During the conversation, the heads of the states considered in detail the prospects for further expansion of Uzbek-Turkish cooperation and exchanged views on current issues of the regional and international agenda.
At the end of the conversation, the heads of the states confirmed their readiness to comprehensively develop and strengthen the traditionally friendly ties and close cooperation between Uzbekistan and Turkey.
Umrah entry visas now valid for one month instead of three from issuance date.
Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has reduced the validity period for Umrah entry visas from three months to one month from issuance date, though the permitted stay duration remains unchanged at three months after arrival.
The new regulations take effect next week (November 1, 2025) amid a record-breaking Umrah season that has already seen over four million visas issued to foreign pilgrims.
Under the updated system, Umrah visas will automatically cancel if pilgrims fail to enter Saudi Arabia within 30 days of issuance.
The three-month allowance for staying in the Kingdom after arrival remains unaffected, preserving pilgrims’ flexibility once they enter the country.
Ahmed Bajaeifer, advisor at the National Committee for Umrah and Visit, confirmed the changes to prepare for expected pilgrim increases following summer’s end and cooler temperatures in Mecca and Medina.
The current Umrah season, beginning in early June, has achieved unprecedented numbers with four million foreign pilgrims arriving within just five months. This volume surpasses previous full-season totals, demonstrating growing global demand for Umrah pilgrimage opportunities.