Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- Turkey is increasingly applying a policy of "soft power" in Central Asia, trying to increase its influence in the region. This task is facilitated by the fact that the bulk of the population in Central Asia and the Caucasus is Muslim, The Diplomat reported.

The COVID-19 pandemic has also provided Turkey with an opportunity to enhance its reputation in Central Asia.

Ankara recently announced that it will send medical aid to Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan. In particular, we are talking about ambulances, ventilators, test kits and other supplies that will help control the spread of COVID-19 in the region.

Earlier, the Turkish Agency for Cooperation and Coordination in May-July delivered to Uzbekistan 30 thousand protective suits and 50 artificial lung ventilation devices, and the Ankara mayor’s office provided Tashkent with 250 thousand protective masks and 5 thousand. disinfectants.

At the same time, other rival powers such as Russia and China are also increasing their influence in the Central Asian region during the peak of the pandemic. In this sense, Turkey cannot remain idle, risking losing its positions.

Turkey views Kazakhstan as its main strategic partner, which can serve as a window to Central Asia and the Far East, as well as provide economic opportunities, especially given its huge reserves of oil and gas.

Analyzing Turkey’s diplomacy in the field of healthcare in Central Asia, experts note that this area is one of the tools to strengthen its position in the region and further strengthen allied relations with key partners in various fields.