President Ilham Aliyev: “Every time I visit brotherly Uzbekistan, especially in recent years, I am delighted to see the country’s rapid development across all areas”

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev gave an extensive interview ahead of his state visit to Uzbekistan.

– Mr. President, recently, relations between Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan have developed rapidly, reaching their highest level – that of an alliance. As you prepare for your upcoming state visit to Uzbekistan, how do you evaluate the current state of bilateral ties and the potential for future growth?

– The relationship between Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan is founded on our common history, culture, language, and spiritual values, as well as the long-standing solidarity, unity, and mutual affection shared by our peoples, passed down through generations. On this strong foundation, our bilateral relations have recently advanced to an unprecedented level of development, reaching an alliance and gaining new significance.

The sincere friendship, mutual respect, and trust between the President of Uzbekistan, my dear brother, Shavkat Miromonovich Mirziyoyev, and me have significantly strengthened the brotherhood between Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan. This relationship has elevated interstate ties to their current strong level and advanced our partnership. President Mirziyoyev’s relentless dedication to fostering brotherhood, unity, and cooperation between our nations has earned him deep respect and affection in Azerbaijan.

As I mentioned, the political dialogue between our countries is very strong. Certainly, the frequent high-level visits, 15 in the last five years, and our close contacts are fostering favorable conditions for the ongoing development and deepening of these relations.

This marks my third state visit to the brotherly country in the last five years and my seventh overall. Each visit to Uzbekistan, a beautiful and unique nation, holds great meaning for me and always leaves me feeling fulfilled. These visits are traditionally characterized by warm hospitality, brotherhood, sincerity, and mutual understanding. In recent years, I am pleased to see Uzbekistan advancing rapidly across all sectors, evident in the development of modern cities, economic diversification, major infrastructure initiatives, and a strong focus on science, education, culture, and sports, demonstrating the country’s impressive growth.

The extensive and consistent efforts led by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, my dear brother, to develop and strengthen Uzbekistan, enhance the country’s global standing, and drive progress across all major sectors earn genuine respect and admiration. This success stems from his thoughtful policies, strategic vision, patriotism, and effective leadership.

In August 2024, I paid a state visit to Uzbekistan, while in July 2025, the President of Uzbekistan visited Azerbaijan. The many documents signed during these reciprocal visits, such as the Declaration on Further Strengthening Strategic Partnership and the Treaty on Allied Relations, officially reinforced the natural alliance between our two independent, strong, and sovereign nations. These agreements have bolstered the legal and political basis of our relations and created new opportunities for future cooperation.

The Supreme Interstate Council, created in August 2023, now functions as a key institutional platform to strengthen the strategic partnership and allied ties between Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan. It helps set long-term cooperation priorities, launch new initiatives, and coordinate efforts across different sectors. The two meetings in Tashkent and Baku showcase the rapid growth of relations between Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan, reflecting ongoing political dialogue and both nations’ strong commitment to collaborative progress.

Today, our political relations are deepening through extensive practical cooperation across fields such as economy, investment, industry, transport, logistics, energy, agriculture, education, science, culture, and humanitarian efforts. The projects underway leverage both countries’ economic strengths and reinforce the friendship and brotherhood between our peoples.

I am confident that the upcoming visit will play a crucial role in expanding the diverse cooperation between our nations, launching new joint initiatives, and reinforcing our allied ties.

– Trade and economic cooperation are among the main areas of relations between Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan. What progress has been achieved in this sector?

– Our trade and economic cooperation has grown quickly in recent years. In 2025, trade between Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan more than tripled from the previous year, reaching $795 million, which is an excellent indicator. From January to May 2026, bilateral trade also rose by 33 percent year-on-year to $144 million.

The Azerbaijan – Uzbekistan Investment Company was established three years ago with a total capital of $500 million. It has become a key platform for fostering investment cooperation between our nations. The company plays an important role in funding and executing promising projects across diverse sectors of both Azerbaijan’s and Uzbekistan’s economies.

Additionally, the Intergovernmental Commission is key to advancing economic, trade, investment, and other collaborations. So far, it has convened 15 times. At its latest session in Tashkent, participants reviewed the current status of trade and economic cooperation between Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan, assessed results to date, and explored future opportunities for development.

Our collaboration in the energy sector continues to grow actively. The Neftgaztechnologiya joint venture, formed by Uzbekistan’s O‘ZLITINEFTGAZ and SOCAR’s NIPI Neftegaz institutes, has operated successfully in oil and gas since 2016. Additionally, the Turan Energy APESCO joint venture, created in 2024 by SOCAR and Uzbekneftegaz JSC, exports high-pressure polyethylene made by the Azerikimya Production Union to Uzbekistan.

Our cooperation in green energy persists. In 2025, energy companies from Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan formed Yaşıl Dəhliz Birliyi LLC in Baku. This joint venture aims to coordinate the Azerbaijan – Central Asia Green Energy Corridor project, promote renewable energy exports, and expand opportunities to transmit energy via the Caspian Sea seabed.

Transit freight between the two countries is rising, with volume reaching 1.4 million tons in 2025, a 6.7 percent increase. From January to June this year, it grew by an additional 12.2 percent, totaling 675,000 tons.

Several joint projects with Uzbekistan are significantly advancing economic cooperation and opening new growth prospects for our countries. Notably, the creation of the Friendship Garden, a 100-hectare pomegranate orchard in the liberated Fuzuli district, stands out, along with collaboration in manufacturing Chevrolet cars and Isuzu buses. As of July 13, 2026, production totals include 10,720 Chevrolet vehicles and 275 Isuzu buses.

Currently, over 130 Uzbek-invested commercial entities are registered in our country, thriving across sectors such as industry, agriculture, construction, transport, and services. The presence of Uzbek companies in Azerbaijan demonstrates mutual trust, a favorable investment climate, and a robust economic partnership between our nations.

Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan have complementary economic potentials, offering significant opportunities for new cooperation initiatives. We support increased activity by Azerbaijani firms in Uzbekistan and Uzbek firms in Azerbaijan, as well as more joint manufacturing and investment ventures.

Azerbaijan is also investing in projects in Uzbekistan. Notably, PASHA Holding is developing a hotel and residential complex in Tashkent under The Ritz-Carlton brand, along with the large Sea Breeze Uzbekistan tourism and residential complex in Tashkent region.

– What do you think is the importance of cultural diplomacy in enhancing the relationship between Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan?

– Cultural and humanitarian cooperation between Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan is a vital part of our relationship, grounded in shared origins, language, culture, and centuries-old spiritual values. This cooperation plays a crucial role in enhancing mutual understanding, trust, friendship, and brotherhood between our nations, while also enriching bilateral ties with new substance.

Thanks to our strong mutual affinity and shared support, cultural and humanitarian relations have flourished in recent years. Collaborative efforts such as culture days, art festivals, academic conferences, publication initiatives, and educational programs have been instrumental in strengthening cultural and humanitarian relations between the two countries.

In 2023 and 2025, Azerbaijan hosted the Days of Uzbek Culture, while Uzbekistan organized the Days of Azerbaijani Culture in 2024. That same year, Khiva also hosted the Days of Shusha. Additionally, a high-level Uzbekistan delegation participated in Turkic World Week in Baku, marking the centenary of the First Turkological Congress.

We take pride that one of the oldest and most esteemed higher education institutions in the brotherly country, Uzbekistan National Pedagogical University, is named after the renowned Azerbaijani poet and thinker Nizami Ganjavi.

Another symbol of our brotherhood is the five-hectare Uzbekistan Park in central Baku, whose foundation stone my dear brother, President Shavkat Miromonovich Mirziyoyev, and I laid last year.

The Heydar Aliyev Foundation’s initiatives and projects significantly contribute to enhancing cultural and humanitarian collaboration between the two nations.

Cooperation in education remains a key aspect of Azerbaijan’s and Uzbekistan’s cultural and humanitarian partnership. During the 2025/2026 academic year, 67 Uzbekistan citizens studied in Azerbaijan, and 176 Azerbaijan citizens studied in Uzbekistan.

The Mirzo Ulugbek Secondary School in Fuzuli, established through Uzbekistan’s initiative and now functioning there, exemplifies cooperation in education and highlights the fraternal bonds between our nations. We sincerely thank the people of Uzbekistan and President Shavkat Mirziyoyev for this noble effort and for their support in rebuilding and developing our liberated territories.

Media cooperation has also yielded significant results. The First Uzbekistan – Azerbaijan Media Forum took place in Tashkent from September 23 to 25, 2024, followed by the Second Azerbaijan – Uzbekistan Media Forum in Baku on September 29, 2025. In 2023, Fuzuli hosted the inaugural Forum of Cooperation between Azerbaijani and Uzbekistan NGOs, with the second edition held in Tashkent in 2024. As a tangible outcome of these forums, the two countries announced their first joint grant competition for NGOs in 2026. The winning Azerbaijani projects will be implemented in Uzbekistan, and the Uzbek projects will be carried out in Azerbaijan.

The number of tourists traveling from Uzbekistan to Azerbaijan is growing. In 2024, 46,000 Uzbekistan citizens visited our country, rising to 62,000 in 2025 and reaching 44,000 between January and August 2026.

I would also like to highlight the successful development of interregional cooperation. Twin-city and partnership relations have been formed between Baku and Tashkent, Ismayilli and Rishtan, Shusha and Khiva, Lankaran and Bukhara, Sheki and Kokand, Bilasuvar and Termez, Mingachevir and Namangan, Fuzuli and Gulistan, Guba and Jizzakh, and Beylagan and Shakhrisabz. Additionally, twin-city relations between Nakhchivan and Urgench are expected soon. Today, initiatives to twin cities in Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan serve as vital platforms for cooperation, bringing our peoples closer, safeguarding shared historical, cultural, and spiritual values, and reinforcing friendship and mutual trust for future generations.

Therefore, Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan’s cultural and humanitarian cooperation is more than just bilateral relations. It serves as a strategic humanitarian bridge that maintains shared values, a rich cultural heritage, and brotherly bonds, carrying them forward.

– Mr. President, Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan work closely together on international platforms. How do you view this cooperation within the Organization of Turkic States, and what are your thoughts on future opportunities to strengthen Azerbaijan’s relations with Central Asian countries?

– Our countries’ collaborative efforts, both bilaterally and multilaterally, deserve high praise. It is a matter of pride that the brotherly nations of Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan continually support each other on all matters.

The cooperation between Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan within the Organization of Turkic States is especially significant. Last year, the 12th Summit of the OTS Council of Heads of State took place in Gabala. During the summit, leaders discussed key cooperation issues and adopted declarations to strengthen the organization, foster greater unity among Turkic nations, and improve its political, economic, and military stature. The goal is to transform the OTS into a key global influence and power center.

Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan view the OTS as more than just a platform for intergovernmental cooperation. They also regard it as a key institution for preserving and passing on their shared history, culture, and spiritual values to future generations.

Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan’s roles in fostering political dialogue, economic relations, transport and logistics, and education, science, and cultural and humanitarian cooperation within the OTS help strengthen integration among the Turkic states.

Our collaboration in transport and logistics holds significant promise. Azerbaijan, located in the South Caucasus, and Uzbekistan, situated in Central Asia, are ideal partners along key strategic routes linking East and West. Integrating the China – Kyrgyzstan – Uzbekistan railway project with the Middle Corridor and TRIPP will open new economic and transit prospects for the region.

Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan’s efforts to protect and promote our shared Turkic heritage are crucial to passing this rich spiritual legacy to future generations.

Our countries also highly value collaboration through other Turkic organizations. Uzbekistan’s full membership in the Turkic Culture and Heritage Foundation in May 2025 marked an important and positive milestone. With its rich history, ancient state traditions, and unique cultural values, Uzbekistan’s participation enhances opportunities for joint efforts to protect and promote the shared heritage of the Turkic world.

Therefore, our countries’ active collaboration within the OTS and other Turkic organizations will continue to foster greater integration across the Turkic world and reinforce its unified stance on the global stage.

Azerbaijan’s relations with Central Asian countries have strengthened rapidly in recent years, based on alliance, strategic partnership, and mutually beneficial cooperation. Shared history, culture, and spiritual values provide a strong foundation for these ties.

Azerbaijan places significant emphasis on broadening its political dialogue with Central Asian countries, strengthening economic connections, improving transport and communication infrastructure, and fostering cooperation in energy and humanitarian sectors. In this regard, the Consultative Meetings of Central Asian Heads of State serve as a key platform for promoting regional collaboration, aligning joint efforts, and debating shared initiatives.

During the Seventh Consultative Meeting of Central Asian Heads of State in Tashkent last November, under Uzbekistan’s chairmanship, participants decided to include the Republic of Azerbaijan as a full participant. I want to thank the President of Uzbekistan and the leaders of other Central Asian countries once again for their support throughout this process.

Thanks to Azerbaijan’s active involvement, the cooperation framework once called “C5” has successfully developed into a “C6” format, with regional dialogue and strategic partnership gaining new meaning and breadth.

Azerbaijan’s active involvement in this format highlights the strategic significance our country places on relations with Central Asia. The Consultative Meetings offer valuable opportunities to deepen mutual trust among regional countries, explore new areas of cooperation, and advance key initiatives for regional progress.

Azerbaijan’s involvement in this format highlights our country’s role in enhancing interregional cooperation. The dialogue and cooperation mechanisms created through this platform not only foster better interstate relations but also support peace, stability, and sustainable development throughout Eurasia.

The diverse cooperation developing between Azerbaijan and Central Asian countries exemplifies a strategic partnership built on mutual respect, trust, and common interests.

Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan work closely together across nearly all international and multilateral platforms, such as the United Nations, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, the Organization of Turkic States, the Economic Cooperation Organization, the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia, and the Non-Aligned Movement.

– Mr. President, I appreciate this engaging and meaningful interview. As you prepare for your upcoming state visit to Uzbekistan, what message would you like to convey to the friendly people there?

– Taking this wonderful opportunity, I sincerely congratulate the brotherly people of Uzbekistan on the upcoming 35th anniversary of their independence. I also express my profound respect and wish them peace, well-being, prosperity, and new achievements.

UzA