Leaders of Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan sum up productive talks

At a meeting with media, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and President Ilham Aliyev outlined the key outcomes of the talks.

The President of Uzbekistan noted with deep satisfaction that the state visit of the President of Azerbaijan to Uzbekistan is, without exaggeration, of historic significance.

President Shavkat Mirziyoyev emphasized that the key outcome of the current summit was the signing of the Treaty on Eternal Friendship. According to the President of Uzbekistan, this reflects the shared aspiration to deepen cooperation, expand opportunities for collaboration, and build a common future.

The third meeting of the Supreme Interstate Council was also held during the visit. The Council has become an effective mechanism for developing and implementing new initiatives aimed at further strengthening allied relations.

The President of Uzbekistan noted Azerbaijan’s sustained economic development and growing international standing. He once again congratulated President Ilham Aliyev on the restoration of the country’s territorial integrity and the return of ancestral Azerbaijani lands.

Particular attention was paid to the revival of Karabakh, where social infrastructure is being actively developed and new jobs are being created.

“Azerbaijan is our reliable ally, strategic partner, and fraternal state. Our relations are based on a shared civilizational code – common historical roots, centuries-old friendship, and similar cultures and traditions,” the President of Uzbekistan emphasized.

It was noted that the summit was preceded by extensive preparatory work. Meetings of the Intergovernmental Commission and the Business Council, as well as the Forum of Regions, were successfully held.

During the talks, the Presidents discussed in detail the full range of multifaceted relations and heard reports from the co-chairs of the Intergovernmental Commission on key areas of cooperation.

These include, first and foremost, trade, industrial cooperation, energy, transport, culture, and other areas.

The two sides agreed to strengthen political dialogue and maintain active contacts between the parliaments and governments, relevant ministries and agencies, and regions of the two countries.

Priority attention was given to economic issues. The Presidents discussed opportunities to increase bilateral trade to $1 billion. A corresponding Program setting out specific measures to achieve this important milestone was adopted today.

New areas of growth in industrial cooperation were identified.

A substantial portfolio of cooperation projects in energy, geology, the chemical industry, construction, finance, agriculture, and other sectors was developed ahead of the visit.

The Investment Fund, established several years ago, plays an important role in advancing these projects.

The two sides agreed to make maximum use of the potential of interregional cooperation. To this end, the khokims of Tashkent city and the Bukhara and Namangan regions visited Azerbaijan this month.

Another important area of cooperation is transport and transit, including the joint development of the Trans-Caspian Corridor, improving the efficiency of logistics infrastructure, and facilitating transportation.

Close cultural and humanitarian ties serve as a reliable bridge of friendship between the two peoples.

Today, the new building of the National Pedagogical University named after Nizami Ganjavi will be inaugurated, and construction of Azerbaijan Park in New Tashkent will be launched.

By the end of the year, Days of Azerbaijani Culture will be held in Uzbekistan, while Azerbaijan will host the second Forum of University Rectors.

A landmark cultural initiative will be the production of a joint feature film dedicated to the literary heritage of Nizami Ganjavi and Alisher Navoi.

It was emphasized that, by decision of FIFA, Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan will jointly host the FIFA U-20 World Cup next year.

As part of this major sporting event, the two sides agreed to adopt a large-scale “Two Countries – One Championship” program.

In conclusion, the President of Uzbekistan thanked his Azerbaijani counterpart for supporting the proposals and initiatives put forward. He expressed confidence that the results of this historic visit would give concrete substance to the partnership, open new horizons for joint projects, and contribute to the sustainable development of the two fraternal countries.