The Uzbekistan-Turkmenistan-Azerbaijan summit is another step towards new joint opportunities

President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev will take part in the first trilateral summit in the “Uzbekistan-Turkmenistan-Azerbaijan” format on August 22 Ashgabat

It should be noted that bilateral and multilateral relations of Uzbekistan with Turkmenistan and Azerbaijan have reached a high level. The global changes taking place in the world today require that relations between the three countries be brought to a new level in all areas. In particular, there is great potential for enhancing mutual cooperation in the field of transport and communications, energy, maritime communication and other areas.

The trilateral summit in Ashgabat is expected to create the necessary conditions for the productive use of this potential.

Within the framework of the Third UN Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries, which was held on August 5-8 this year in the National tourist zone of Turkmenistan "Avaza", a trilateral meeting was held between the President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev, the National Leader of the Turkmen people, Chairman of the Halk Maslakhaty of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov and the Prime Minister of Azerbaijan Ali Asadov. It discussed issues of expanding mutually beneficial regional cooperation and promoting joint projects. First of all, it was noted that there are opportunities for cooperation in the fields of energy, transport and logistics, industry and agriculture. Then the parties agreed to continue the dialogue in this format to develop promising projects for practical interaction.

Uzbek-Turkmen relations have reached a qualitatively new level in recent years thanks to the political will of the leaders of the two states. In particular, the Strategic Partnership Agreement of March 6, 2017 and the Declaration on Deepening the Strategic Partnership of October 21, 2022 serve as a solid legal basis for bilateral cooperation.

During mutual official visits of heads of state and meetings in multilateral formats, special attention is paid to the further development of relations between the two countries. These meetings undoubtedly played an important role in the development and expansion of long-term stable partnership, peace and good neighborliness in the Central Asian region.

Turkmenistan is also one of the important trading partners of Uzbekistan. At the end of the first half of 2025, the volume of mutual trade between our countries amounted to 464 million US dollars. There are 240 joint ventures operating effectively in Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan.

The two countries are also actively involved in the implementation of large energy projects in the region. The transport sector is also a priority area of ​​relations. The integrated road and railway networks of our countries serve as a transit route for third countries.

It should be noted that history, tourism, culture and traditions connecting the Uzbek and Turkmen peoples have become their common heritage. This proximity serves as a solid basis for the development of relations in the cultural, humanitarian and tourism spheres.

Another important aspect is that our country has created all the conditions for the preservation and development of the Turkmen language, culture and traditions. The legacy of the great Uzbek poet and statesman Alisher Navoi is highly valued in Turkmenistan. The ghazals of the Turkmen poet and thinker Magtymguly Fragi are read with love and tenderness in our country.

Azerbaijan is also a close friend and reliable strategic partner of Uzbekistan, which has stood the test of time. The signing of documents such as the Declaration on Deepening the Strategic Partnership and Development of Comprehensive Cooperation in 2022 and the Treaty on Allied Relations in 2024 opened a completely new page in the history of bilateral relations.

Regular visits and summit meetings set a high pace in all areas of cooperation and serve as a driving force for the development of bilateral relations.

Expanding trade, economic and investment ties, increasing competitiveness in the world market, deepening production cooperation with foreign partners, creating, developing and effectively using new transport corridors in the region are among the most important areas of bilateral cooperation.

A close dialogue is being conducted at the level of transport administrations, trade and economic ties and industrial cooperation are being strengthened.

Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan are considered countries with great economic potential in Central Asia and the South Caucasus, respectively. This makes them economically promising partners seeking to deepen economic and investment cooperation. More than 250 enterprises operating with the participation of Azerbaijani capital in the fields of trade, mechanical engineering and metalworking, finance and insurance, real estate, energy, services, jewelry production, food and light industry and other areas make a significant contribution to the development of the economy of Uzbekistan.

The opening of the UzAuto automobile assembly plant in Azerbaijan has become one of the striking examples of industrial cooperation. This project expanded Uzbekistan's export capabilities and created new jobs in the country. In addition, cooperation in the agro-industrial complex, textile industry and logistics is successfully developing. Both countries are interested in the effective use of the transit potential of Trans-Caspian route projects, as well as in the integration of transport strategies.

The volume of mutual trade between Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan at the end of 2024 exceeded $250 million. At the same time, the parties strive to increase it several times in the coming years. This is facilitated by the free trade regime established between the countries and the activities of the Joint Intergovernmental Commission on Cooperation, the last meeting of which was held in Baku in June this year.

Also, in order to finance the most promising projects in the territories of the two countries, an Uzbek-Azerbaijani joint investment company with an authorized capital of $500 million was created in 2023.

The creation of these structures indicates the mutual interest of official Tashkent and Baku in economic integration and the full realization of the existing potential of trade, economic and investment cooperation. This is confirmed by numerous events - exhibitions, business forums, business missions. In addition, Uzbekistan plans to export surplus “green” electricity produced in the country to Europe through Azerbaijan from 2030. In November 2024, the presidents of Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan launched the project to create a “green” energy corridor “Central Asia – Azerbaijan – Europe”. Last December, the three countries signed a founding agreement for the project. The environmental significance of the project should also be noted. The transported energy will be wind and solar energy, which are renewable and environmentally friendly sources and can reduce the impact on the climate.

The historical commonality of religion, language, culture and traditions plays an important role in the development of cultural, humanitarian and tourist exchanges between Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan. In addition, days of culture and literature, weeks of cinema and creativity, tours and art exhibitions are regularly held in the territories of the two states.

Representatives of the Azerbaijani nation living today in Uzbekistan also contribute to strengthening the ties of friendship with Azerbaijan. In order to preserve their culture and traditions, the Association of Azerbaijani Cultural Centers has been created in our country.

In a word, the participation of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev in the trilateral summit in the “Uzbekistan-Turkmenistan-Azerbaijan” format will, first of all, serve the further unification of the Central Asian and South Caucasus regions, the development of multifaceted and mutually beneficial cooperation between the three countries, improving the well-being of the peoples of the two regions and achieving new joint successes.

IA Dunyo