Friendly relations between the Uzbek and Azerbaijani peoples have deep historical roots and are based on the connectivity of centuries-old cultural and spiritual values and traditions. These long-standing and close ties are a solid foundation for developing mutually beneficial and effective cooperation between countries based on firm trust and high respect.

The fraternal connection between the modern republics of Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan is increasingly developing within the framework of a fruitful contractual and legal framework. It must be admitted that the sincere friendship between the current leaders of the two states, Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Ilham Aliyev, has raised relations to a qualitatively new level and created the ground for real constructive cooperation, covering the entire spectrum of interaction.

An essential event in the history of Uzbekistan – Azerbaijan relations was the visit of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev to the Republic of Azerbaijan to participate in the 7th Summit of the Cooperation Council of Turkic Speaking States (now the Organization of Turkic States), held in Baku on October 14-15, 2019.

During the visit, Shavkat Mirziyoyev met with the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev. The heads of state discussed issues related to 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 spheres.

The visit of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev to Uzbekistan on June 21-22, 2022, has also become very relevant. It began with the opening a renovated street, avenue, and memorial bas-relief of Heydar Aliyev in Tashkent. The ceremony was attended by the President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev and the President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev.

Cooperation, growing year by year thanks to sincere and trusting relations between the heads of state, is also reflected in the consistently developing economic partnership results. The agreements reached in this regard must be successfully implemented one after the other.

An agreement was reached on accelerating the activities of the joint intergovernmental commission and organizing mutual visits of delegations from the two countries’ regions.

In particular, the first Uzbekistan – Azerbaijan Interregional Forum and the Third Meeting of the Business Council, held in Tashkent in February this year, created an essential basis for developing a direct dialogue between business circles and further expansion of cooperation. It is important to note that in 2022 alone, the trade turnover between the two countries increased by 1.5 times and 16 percent since the beginning of this year.

In particular, supplies of textile products to Azerbaijan increased by 2.6 times, mechanical equipment – by 19.7 percent, glass and glass products – by 76 percent. Considering this, experts note that the two countries’ economy has sufficient potential to increase the volume of mutual trade up to $1 billion in the coming years.

Joint work on the development of industrial cooperation deserves special attention. Over the past five years, the number of joint ventures created in Uzbekistan with the participation of Azerbaijani capital has increased 4 times, and about 40 enterprises have been launched in two years. More than 70 enterprises with Uzbek investments operate in Azerbaijan. A constant place on the agenda is the expansion of cooperation in energy and transport and the development of interregional, cultural, and humanitarian ties.

In general, both sides pay great attention to the prospect of enhancing economic relations between Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan, because there is no doubt that the potential for cooperation in such vital areas as transport, industrial cooperation, energy, textile, mining, electrical engineering, and the chemical industry is high more than ever.

During the visit of President Ilham Aliyev to Tashkent, a reliable foundation was laid to strengthen the partnership between institutions for the analysis of international relations between Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan. The signing by the Presidents of the Declaration on deepening strategic collaboration and building up comprehensive cooperation demonstrated the readiness of our countries to strengthen and develop joint efforts at various levels.

The Azerbaijani side constantly emphasizes that the large-scale reforms being carried out in Uzbekistan, as well as the positive changes achieved in Central Asia thanks to the efforts of Uzbekistan, create favorable conditions for further developing mutually beneficial cooperation in all areas, including a constructive dialogue between the regions.

In particular, representatives of the expert community highly appreciate the current state and prospects of bilateral relations and recognize the development strategy of New Uzbekistan, aimed at building a strong civil society and modernizing the economy. They also note that thanks to the regional policy of our state with a new form and essence, a favorable political environment has been created in Central Asia. This serves to strengthen mutual trust and mutually beneficial cooperation.

During talks at different levels, the parties continuously analyze the current state and prospects for cooperation, determine priorities that require consistent development of relations, and make proposals that strengthen them further.

In conclusion, it can be emphasized that today’s age-old friendly ties between the two fraternal countries – Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan – are consistently developing in almost all areas. The upcoming state visit of the President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev to Azerbaijan is essential for further developing the strategic partnership and strengthening relations between the countries of Central Asia and the South Caucasus.

Gayrat Khonnazarov, UzA