The relationship between the Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan peoples, distinguished by special warmth and closeness, drawing energy from common historical and cultural components, identical ethnic and linguistic roots, and a single religion and traditions, is rooted in the depths of centuries.

Back in the 5th-4th millennium BC, there was a similarity and parallelism reflected in the socio-economic life in the development of the peoples of Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan.

The beginning of direct historical ties between the Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan peoples can be considered the 9th-7th centuries BC. At this time, the Cimmerian-Scythian-Sak tribes, moving from Altai, partially settled in present-day Uzbekistan and then penetrated the territory of present-day Azerbaijan.

At one time, the territories of both states were united by the Achaemenid Empire and the state of Alexander the Great.

The Great Silk Road also made an invaluable contribution to the cultural, trade, and economic exchange between the two peoples.

During the rise of the Turkic Khaganate, Turkic tribes began to penetrate Central Asia and the Caucasus, contributing to the first wave of Turkization of the two regions.

By the middle of the 7th century, the Arabs annexed the territory of present-day Azerbaijan, and by the beginning of the 8th century, the territory of present-day Uzbekistan. The Arab invasion contributed to the spread of Islam and also played a certain positive role in the development of productive forces: the growth of cities; expanding of the scale of trade (including caravan) and handicraft production; strengthening the exchange between the urban and rural population, farmers and nomads.

In the 11th-12th centuries, the peoples of Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan were united into a single state of the Oghuz-Seljuks. The aggressive campaigns of the Seljuks significantly changed the demographic picture of the conquered countries, contributing to their complete Turkization.

Uzbekistan – Azerbaijan relations continued to develop during the rise of the Khorezmshahs-Anushteginids. It is worth noting that by the middle of the 12th century, the state of the Anushteginids (1077–1220) was linked by strategic relations with the state of the Shirvanshahs (861–1538). Khorezmshahs relied on Shirvan, considering it as their military ally. The fact that there was a sea between the states did not prevent them from establishing trade, political, military, and cultural ties.

The relationship between the two peoples continued in the 14th century. Thus, Amir Temur (1336-1405) supported Shirvanshah Ibrahim I (1382-1417) in the fight against the Khan of the Golden Horde Tokhtamysh, helping to strengthen the constructions of Derbent. In turn, Ibrahim I participated in Temur’s campaign against Tokhtamysh in 1395, the battle on the Terek River, and the campaign against the Ottoman Empire in 1402.

Bilateral interaction has been developed in subsequent eras. This was especially evident in the relationship between Temurid-Shahrukh (1377-1447) and the son of Shirvanshah Ibrahim I – Khalilullah (1417-1465). This relationship developed into a family union. Khalilullah married the daughter of Mirza Abu Bakr, the son of Miranshah and the grandson of Temur.

Brotherly relations between the Safavids and Baburids also contributed to the strengthening of Uzbekistan – Azerbaijan ties. The founder of the new Azerbaijani state, the Safavids Shah Ismail I (1501–1524), took the side of Babur in the latter’s confrontation with Sheibanikhan (1451–1510). The fight ended with the death of Muhammad Sheibani in 1510 and Babur’s occupation of the Samarkand throne, but the recalcitrance of the population of Samarkand forced Babur to leave his homeland forever and go to Afghanistan and then to Northern India, where he founded the Baburid state (1526-1857).

Relations between the Safavids and the Baburids remained friendly in subsequent years. Thus, during the rebellion of Sher Khan (the former commander of Babur), who led the Afghan troops in 1544, against the son of Babur Humayun (1508–1556), the heir of Shah Ismail Tahmasb I (1524–1576) gave 12,000 troops to help the latter, with the help of which Humayun defeated the enemies and regained his throne.

More than five hundred years ago, Alisher Navoi, expressing his most profound love for Nizami Ganjavi and considering him his teacher, called the brilliant Azerbaijani poet and thinker the king of poets and compared him to a priceless pearl. It is noteworthy that Nizami’s “Khamsa” became a fruitful genre unit for the literature of the countries of Central Asia and gave rise to a creative competition of word artists not only of their era, but also of subsequent generations. In turn, the great Azerbaijani poet and thinker Muhammad Fuzuli, whose immortal ghazals are sung by dozens of maqoms, which have become the spiritual heritage of the Uzbek people, was deeply inspired by the work of the great Navoi.

The close relationship between the Uzbek and Azerbaijani peoples grew during the Soviet era. Moscow considered Baku an educational, scientific, and cultural center not only of the Caucasus, but also of all the Turkic countries that were part of the USSR. As a result, Baku became a forge of personnel for the Turkic peoples of the Union, especially those from Central Asia. Thus, the graduates of Baku educational institutions in different years were: Academician Vakhid Zahidov, Gairati, Alim Khodjayev, Hamid Khakimov, Yusif Latifov, Khojimurat Abdulla, Khadi Zarifov, Shukhrat, Sabir Rakhimov, Halima Nasirova, Saifi Alimov, Nazira Aliyeva, Zuhur Kabulov, Sagdulla Jurabayev, Halima Khodjayeva, Bobo Khodjayev, Karim Yakubov.

The merit of Azerbaijani teachers is also great in the emergence of the Uzbek professional theater, and the works of the classics of Azerbaijani literature did not leave the stages of the Uzbek theater for a long time, entering the “golden fund” of national art.

The personal, friendly relations between Sharaf Rashidov and Heydar Aliyev also played an essential role in strengthening Uzbekistan – Azerbaijan relations, thanks to which the bonds of brotherhood rose to a qualitatively new level and influenced the organization of all kinds of bilateral cultural and socio-economic events of that era.

Bilateral cooperation found its logical continuation in the period of independent development of states, when Heydar Aliyev and Islam Karimov took steps to consolidate a fruitful dialogue, the crown of which was the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Republic of Azerbaijan on October 2, 1995.

The two countries’ embassies were opened to intensify interstate dialogue and lay the legal foundations for cooperation. The Embassy of the Republic of Azerbaijan in the Republic of Uzbekistan was opened in June 1997, during the official visit of Heydar Aliyev, and in July 1998 the Embassy of the Republic of Uzbekistan was opened in the Republic of Azerbaijan. Since then, states have naturally desired to lay the legal, economic, and cultural foundation for bilateral contacts and relations.

However, the relationship between Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Ilham Aliyev raised Uzbekistan – Azerbaijan relations to an unprecedented level.

A significant event in the history of Uzbekistan – Azerbaijan partnership was the visit of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev to Baku on October 14-15, 2019, to participate in the seventh summit of the Organization of Turkic States.

In the format of a bilateral meeting, the parties discussed relevant issues of enhancing mutually beneficial cooperation and defined priority tasks for the future. Particular attention was paid to establishing business contacts at the level of leading companies and entrepreneurs of Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan and developing cooperation in industry, agriculture, transport, and other key industries.

An agreement was reached to intensify the activities of the joint Intergovernmental Commission and organize mutual visits of delegations from the two countries’ regions.

Following the meeting, the two countries’ leaders confirmed their commitment to further strengthening Uzbekistan – Azerbaijan relations of centuries-old friendship and strategic partnership.

A new milestone in bilateral relations was rightfully opened by the state visit of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev to the Republic of Uzbekistan, which took place on June 21-22, 2022.

The visit began with the opening a renovated street named after Heydar Aliyev, a square, and a memorial bas-relief in Tashkent. The ceremony was attended by the President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev and the President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev.

In a narrow format, the heads of state exchanged views on further enhancing the multifaceted strategic partnership between Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan.

The achieved joint projects on economic issues of Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan were also noted, in particular, an agreement on the establishment of a joint Investment Fund to develop and promote promising cooperation projects in the two countries; implementation of collaborative projects in free economic zones located on the territory of the two countries for the export of products to the markets of third countries.

The Baku – Tbilisi – Kars railway remains an effective mechanism for implementing these joint projects, and agreements were also reached to improve the efficiency of this railway. The result of the measures taken is a specially created working group under the leadership of the transport ministers, which contributes to the timely removal of obstacles to bilateral trade and transit of goods.

Another promising area of bilateral cooperation is agriculture. Noting the opportunities available here, the relevant ministers were instructed to agree on a roadmap for creating a silk production cluster, promoting projects in cotton growing, and introducing innovative developments.

It was emphasized that direct interregional ties are essential in enhancing multifaceted cooperation. The parties agreed that shortly the capitals and major cities of the two countries would establish partnerships. Shavkat Mirziyoyev proposed to hold the First Forum of Regions and an exhibition of their industrial potential in Tashkent, which took place in February this year.

It was noted that expanding tourism cooperation would also further strengthen business and humanitarian ties. The presidents supported the adoption of a separate program and the holding of a joint tourism fair.

The primary and fundamental document signed as a result of negotiations between Presidents Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Ilham Aliyev was the Declaration on deepening the strategic partnership and building up comprehensive cooperation between the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Republic of Azerbaijan.

The document is comprehensive and covers about 40 areas of interaction between the two states, providing for enhancing trade and economic collaboration, industrial cooperation, and the effective use of transport and transit potential.

Also, in the presence of the heads of state, 18 documents were signed between the two countries’ governments, ministries, and agencies, covering a wide range of interaction: from industrial cooperation to military-technical cooperation. Undoubtedly, the signed agreements will bring the state of mutual trade to $1 billion over the next five years.

It is deeply symbolic that on March 1-2, 2023, the President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev arrived in Baku at the invitation of the President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev to participate in the summit of the Contact Group of the Non-Aligned Movement.

In his speech, the President of Uzbekistan emphasized that: “In recent years, humanity, in addition to fighting the pandemic, is also facing the disastrous consequences of climate change, natural disasters, and man-made disasters. Their scale is growing and seriously threatens the security and sustainable development of not only individual states, but entire regions”.

In this regard, the Head of our state expressed the idea of creating an international structure in Uzbekistan to study and monitor natural disasters.

Thus, Uzbekistan – Azerbaijan relations have been at a reasonably high level from the very first days of achieving state independence by the countries. In subsequent years, the Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan leaderships supplemented and expanded this interaction in every possible way, filling it with the spirit of brotherhood and friendship.

Thanks to the wise and far-sighted policy of Presidents Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Ilham Aliyev, Uzbekistan – Azerbaijan relations have reached a qualitatively new level, affecting a wide range of multifaceted cooperation.

Azer Adygezalov, 

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Historical Sciences, 

Chief Researcher at the International Institute for Central Asia.

UzA