On August 23, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev made statements to the press in Tashkent.
The Operative Information Center-OMM reports that the Uzbek President spoke first.
Statement by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev
President Mirziyoyev warmly welcomed President Ilham Aliyev, emphasizing the historic significance of the state visit. He highlighted the signing of the Treaty of Eternal Friendship, noting that it reflects the shared desire to deepen cooperation across regional, business, and parliamentary levels. The Uzbek leader praised Azerbaijan's economic development and the restoration of peace and stability in the Garabagh region, noting that social infrastructure is being actively built and people are returning to peaceful lives.
The President of Uzbekistan outlined key areas of cooperation, including trade, industrial cooperation, energy, and transport. He emphasized the goal of increasing trade turnover to $1 billion and noted the importance of the Trans-Caspian corridor. Furthermore, he highlighted cultural and humanitarian ties, including the upcoming opening of the new building of the Nizami Ganjavi Pedagogical University and the construction of an Azerbaijan Park in "New Tashkent."
Statement by President Ilham Aliyev
President Ilham Aliyev expressed his gratitude for the hospitality and the warm reception in Tashkent. He remarked on the rapid development of Uzbekistan under President Mirziyoyev's leadership, noting that the country is currently experiencing a period of significant growth. President Aliyev emphasized that the bilateral relations are built on a solid foundation, both moral and material, which is rare in global politics.
The Azerbaijani leader highlighted the importance of joint projects in energy, transport, investment, tourism, mining, automotive, and agriculture. He specifically mentioned the involvement of SOCAR in the Uzbek retail market and the progress in oil and gas exploration projects. President Aliyev also expressed his appreciation for Uzbekistan's support in the reconstruction of the Garabagh region, citing the construction of the Mirza Ulugbek school in Fuzuli and investments in a textile factory in Khankendi as prime examples of this brotherly cooperation. He concluded by inviting President Mirziyoyev to pay a state visit to Azerbaijan at his convenience.
