Ilham Aliyev: "While visiting brotherly Uzbekistan, I am particularly pleased with the country's rapid development in recent years in all areas."

Ilham Aliyev: "I am particularly pleased with Uzbekistan's rapid development in all areas."

— Dear Mr. President, Azerbaijani-Uzbek relations have developed dynamically in recent years and reached the highest level—allied partnership. How would you assess the current state and prospects for the development of bilateral relations in anticipation of your upcoming state visit to that country?

— Relations between Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan, two fraternal countries, are based on a shared history, culture, language, and spiritual values, as well as on the unity, solidarity, and deep mutual sympathy of our peoples, passed down from century to century, from generation to generation. Interstate relations, built on this solid foundation, have entered a period of unprecedented development in recent years, rising to the highest level—allied partnership—and have acquired a completely new meaning.

The sincere friendship, mutual respect, and trust that exist between the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, my dear brother, the esteemed Shavkat Miromonovich Mirziyoyev, and myself play a special role in strengthening Azerbaijani-Uzbek brotherhood, raising interstate ties to their current level, and developing our alliance. President Mirziyoyev's tireless and determined work in the name of brotherhood, unity, and alliance between our countries has earned him deep respect and affection in Azerbaijan.

As I have already noted, the political dialogue between our countries is at a very high level. Certainly, regular reciprocal high-level visits—15 over the past five years—and our close contacts create favorable conditions for the dynamic development and strengthening of these ties.

This is my third state visit in the past five years and my seventh overall to our brotherly country. I always experience great satisfaction from visiting beautiful and unique Uzbekistan, and each visit has special significance for me. Traditionally, these visits take place in an atmosphere of exceptional hospitality, brotherhood, sincerity, and mutual understanding. What particularly delights me about visiting brotherly Uzbekistan is the country's rapid development in all areas in recent years. The construction of modern cities, the diversification of the economy, the implementation of large-scale infrastructure projects, and the attention paid to science, education, culture, and sports clearly demonstrate the country's rapid growth.

The extensive efforts consistently implemented under the wise leadership of the leader of Uzbekistan, my dear brother, the esteemed Shavkat Miromonovich Mirziyoyev, aimed at the comprehensive development and prosperity of the country, as well as the steady strengthening of its international prestige and significant successes in all key sectors, evoke sincere respect and deep satisfaction. All of this is the result of the President's thoughtful policies, strategic vision, and love for the Motherland, as well as effective public administration.

In August 2024, I paid a state visit to Uzbekistan, and in July 2025, the President of Uzbekistan paid a state visit to Azerbaijan. Numerous documents signed during these bilateral visits, in particular the Declaration on Further Strengthening Strategic Partnership and the Treaty on Allied Relations, formally cemented the natural alliance between our two independent, strong, and sovereign states. They further strengthened the legal and political foundations of ties between our countries and opened up new opportunities for the future development of our cooperation.

At the same time, the Supreme Interstate Council, established in August 2023, has become an important institutional mechanism for deepening the strategic partnership and allied relations between Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan. This platform serves to define long-term cooperation priorities between our countries, promote new initiatives, and effectively coordinate interactions in various fields. The two Council meetings already held—in Tashkent and Baku—demonstrate the rapid development of Azerbaijani-Uzbek relations, the continuity of political dialogue, and the determination of our countries to work together for the future.

Today, our political relations are further enriched by large-scale cooperation initiatives in the fields of economics, investment, industry, transport, logistics, energy, agriculture, education, science, culture, and the humanitarian sphere. These ongoing projects not only unite the economic potential of our countries but also further strengthen the bonds of friendship and brotherhood between our peoples.

I am confident that the upcoming visit will also be significant in terms of further expanding comprehensive cooperation between our countries, implementing new joint initiatives, and strengthening our allied relations.

— One of the important areas of Azerbaijani-Uzbek relations is trade and economic cooperation. What can you say about the successes achieved in this area?

— Our trade and economic cooperation has demonstrated rapid growth in recent years. In 2025, trade turnover between Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan more than tripled compared to the previous year, reaching $795 million. This is an excellent indicator. Furthermore, from January to May 2026, trade turnover increased by 33 percent compared to the same period last year, reaching USD 144 million.

The Azerbaijan-Uzbekistan Investment Company, established three years ago with a total capital of USD 500 million, has become an important platform for developing investment cooperation between our countries. The company makes a significant contribution to the financing and implementation of promising projects in various economic sectors in both Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan.

Furthermore, the Intergovernmental Commission plays a key role in developing ties in the economic, trade, investment, and other spheres. To date, 15 meetings of the Commission have been held. During the recent meeting in Tashkent, the current state of Azerbaijan-Uzbekistan trade and economic cooperation, its achievements, and future development directions were discussed in detail.

Our cooperation in the energy sector is also actively developing. The joint venture Neftegaztexnologiya, created by the Uzbek institute OZLITINEFTGAZ and SOCAR NIPI Neftegaz, has been successfully operating in the oil and gas industry since 2016. Furthermore, Turan Energy AFEZCO, a joint venture established in 2024 by SOCAR and Uzbekneftegaz JSC, exports high-density polyethylene produced by Azerihimiya Production Association to Uzbekistan.

Our cooperation in the field of green energy also continues. In 2025, the relevant energy ministries of Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan established the Green Corridor Union LLC (Yaşıl Dəhliz Birliyi) in Baku. This joint venture was created to coordinate the implementation of the Azerbaijan-Central Asia Green Energy Corridor project, renewable energy exports, and its transmission capabilities across the Caspian Sea.

Transit traffic between the two countries is growing. In 2025, their volume increased by 6.7 percent, reaching 1.4 million tons. A 12.2 percent increase was also recorded for January–June of this year, reaching 675,000 tons.

A number of joint projects implemented with the Uzbek side are making a significant contribution to the further expansion of economic cooperation and the creation of new development opportunities between our countries. Of particular note in this regard is the establishment of a 100-hectare pomegranate orchard, known as the "Friendship Garden," in the liberated Fizuli District, as well as cooperation in the production of Chevrolet and Isuzu vehicles. As of July 13, 2026, a total of 10,720 Chevrolet vehicles and 275 Isuzu buses had been produced.

Currently, over 130 commercial organizations with Uzbek investments are registered in our country, successfully operating in various economic sectors—industry, agriculture, construction, transportation, and services. The activities of Uzbek companies in Azerbaijan are an indicator of mutual trust, a favorable investment climate, and the strong economic partnership that has developed between our countries.

The economic opportunities of Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan complement each other, opening up broad horizons for the creation of new formats of cooperation. We support the more active participation of Azerbaijani companies in Uzbekistan and Uzbek companies in Azerbaijan, as well as an increase in the number of joint production and investment projects.

Azerbaijan is also implementing investment projects in Uzbekistan. Notable examples include the hotel and residential complex under the Ritz-Carlton brand being built in Tashkent by PASHA Holding, as well as the large tourist and residential complex Sea Breeze Uzbekistan in the Tashkent region.

I am confident that our economic partnership, based on mutual benefit, will continue to develop successfully, be enriched by new initiatives, and serve the well-being of our peoples as one of the important pillars of the Azerbaijani-Uzbek allied relations.

— What role, in your opinion, does cultural diplomacy play in strengthening Azerbaijani-Uzbek interstate ties?

— Cultural and humanitarian cooperation between Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan is an integral and important area of relations, based on shared roots, linguistic and cultural affinities, as well as spiritual values developed over centuries. Cooperation in this area significantly contributes to strengthening mutual understanding, trust, friendship, and fraternal ties between our peoples, enriching humanitarian ties with new content.

Thanks to the mutual aspirations of our peoples and the joint support of our states, cultural and humanitarian ties have been successfully developing in recent years. Joint cultural days, arts festivals, scientific conferences, literary publications, and educational programs play a special role in strengthening the cultural and humanitarian agenda between the two countries.

In 2023 and 2025, Azerbaijan hosted the Days of Uzbekistan Culture, in 2024, Uzbekistan hosted the Days of Azerbaijan Culture, and that same year, Khiva hosted the Days of Shusha. A representative delegation from Uzbekistan participated in the Turkic World Week held in Baku, dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the First Turkological Congress.

We are proud that one of the oldest and most prestigious higher education institutions in our fraternal country, the National Pedagogical University of Uzbekistan, bears the name of the great Azerbaijani poet and thinker Nizami Ganjavi.

The 5-hectare "Uzbekistan" Park, the foundation of which my dear brother, President Shavkat Miromonovich, and I laid last year in the center of Baku, will become another symbol of our brotherhood.

The initiatives and projects implemented by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation are also of great importance in expanding cultural and humanitarian cooperation between the two countries.

Cooperation in education is one of the key areas of cultural and humanitarian partnership between Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan. In the 2025/2026 academic year, 67 Uzbek citizens studied in Azerbaijan, and 176 Azerbaijani citizens studied in Uzbekistan.

The Mirzo Ulugbek Secondary School, built at the initiative of Uzbekistan and operating in the city of Fuzuli, is one of the most striking examples of cooperation in education and yet another manifestation of the fraternal relations between our countries. We express our sincere gratitude to the people of Uzbekistan and personally to President Shavkat Mirziyoyev for this noble initiative, as well as for the support provided in the restoration and construction work in our territories liberated from occupation.

Furthermore, cooperation in the media sector has yielded significant results. The 1st Uzbekistan-Azerbaijan Media Forum was held in Tashkent from September 23–25, 2024, and the 2nd Azerbaijan-Uzbekistan Media Forum was held in Baku on September 29, 2025. In 2023, the 1st Azerbaijan-Uzbekistan NGO Cooperation Forum was held in Fuzuli, and in 2024, the 2nd Uzbekistan-Azerbaijan NGO Cooperation Forum was held in Tashkent. As a practical result of these forums, in 2026, the two fraternal countries jointly announced a grant competition for NGOs for the first time. Based on the results of this competition, the winning projects from Azerbaijan will be implemented in Uzbekistan, and the winning projects from Uzbekistan will be implemented in Azerbaijan.

Tourism from Uzbekistan to Azerbaijan is growing. 46,000 Uzbek citizens visited our country in 2024, 62,000 in 2025, and 44,000 from January to August 2026.

The successful development of interregional cooperation is particularly noteworthy. Sister city and partnership relations have been established between the cities of Baku-Tashkent, Ismayilli-Rishtan, Shusha-Khiva, Lankaran-Bukhara, Sheki-Kokand, Bilasuvar-Termez, Mingachevir-Namangan, Fizuli-Gulistan, Guba-Jizzakh, and Beylagan-Shakhrisabz. The establishment of sister city relations between Nakhchivan and Urgench is planned for the near future. Today, sister city initiatives between Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan are particularly significant and represent a key platform for cooperation that brings our peoples even closer together, preserves shared historical, cultural, and spiritual values, and strengthens friendship and mutual trust between future generations.

Thus, cultural and humanitarian cooperation between Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan is not only an important area of bilateral relations but also a strategic humanitarian bridge for the future, preserving our shared values, rich cultural heritage, and the bonds of brotherhood between our peoples.

— Dear Mr. President, Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan are effectively cooperating on international platforms. How do you assess this interaction within the Organization of Turkic States, and what can you say about the prospects for developing cooperation between Azerbaijan and the countries of Central Asia?

— The joint efforts of our countries to address important issues in both bilateral and multilateral formats deserve high praise. It is a source of pride that the two fraternal countries – Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan – always support each other in all matters.

Cooperation between Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan within the Organization of Turkic States is of particular importance. Last year, the 12th Summit of the Council of Heads of State of the OTG was held in Gabala. Key issues of cooperation within the organization were discussed and declarations were signed with the aim of strengthening the OTG, ensuring closer unity in the Turkic world, increasing its political, economic, and military strength, and transforming it into a center of influence and power on the global stage.

Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan view the OTG not only as a platform for interstate cooperation but also as an important association that carries our shared history, culture, and spiritual values into the future.

The contribution of Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan to the development of political dialogue, economic ties, transport and logistics capabilities, and cooperation in education, science, and cultural and humanitarian areas within the OTG serves to further deepen integration between the Turkic states.

Our cooperation promises great prospects, particularly in the transport and logistics sector. Azerbaijan's location in the South Caucasus and Uzbekistan's in Central Asia make our countries natural partners on important strategic routes connecting East and West. In this regard, the integration of the important China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway project with the Middle Corridor and TRIPP will create new economic and transit opportunities for the entire region.

The initiatives implemented by Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan to protect and promote their shared Turkic heritage are invaluable in terms of passing on this great spiritual heritage to future generations.

Our countries also attach great importance to cooperation within other Turkic organizations. A significant and deeply satisfying event was Uzbekistan's accession in May 2025 as a full member of the Turkic Culture and Heritage Foundation. Uzbekistan's accession to this Fund, given the country's rich historical heritage, ancient statehood traditions, and distinctive cultural values, will significantly expand opportunities for cooperation in preserving and promoting the shared heritage of the Turkic world.

Therefore, the active cooperation of our countries within the UTC, as well as other Turkic organizations, will continue to contribute to the closer integration of the Turkic world and the strengthening of its unified position on the international stage.

Regarding Azerbaijan's relations with the countries of Central Asia, it should be noted that in recent years, these ties have developed dynamically based on the principles of alliance, strategic partnership, and mutually beneficial cooperation. Such important factors as historical and cultural affinity and shared spiritual values form a solid foundation for the existing ties between Azerbaijan and the Central Asian states.

Azerbaijan attaches particular importance to expanding political dialogue, deepening economic ties, increasing transport and communications capabilities, and developing cooperation in the energy and humanitarian spheres with the countries of Central Asia. From this perspective, the Consultative Meetings of the Heads of State of Central Asia are a highly respected platform of significant importance for advancing regional cooperation, coordinating interaction, and discussing joint initiatives.

Last November, it was in Tashkent, under the chairmanship of Uzbekistan, that the decision was made at the 7th Consultative Meeting on the full participation of the Republic of Azerbaijan in the Consultative Meetings of the Heads of State of Central Asia. I once again express my sincere gratitude to the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, as well as to the heads of other Central Asian states, for their support in this process.

As a result of Azerbaijan's active involvement in this process, the cooperation format previously known as "C5" has effectively evolved into "C6," and regional dialogue and strategic partnership have acquired new content and scope.

Azerbaijan's full participation in this format demonstrates the strategic importance our country attaches to relations with Central Asia. Discussions held during the Consultative Meetings further strengthen mutual trust between the countries of the region, identify new areas of cooperation, and implement important initiatives for regional development.

Azerbaijan's participation in this format also demonstrates our country's contribution to strengthening interregional cooperation. The dialogue and cooperation mechanisms established within this platform serve not only the development of interstate relations but also the promotion of peace, stability, and sustainable progress throughout the Eurasian region.

Thus, the emerging comprehensive cooperation between Azerbaijan and the countries of Central Asia exemplifies a strategic partnership built on mutual respect, trust, and shared interests.

Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan also cooperate effectively within virtually all international organizations and multilateral platforms of which they are members, particularly the UN, the OIC, the Joint Territorial Group of States, the ECO, the CICA, and the Non-Aligned Movement.

— Dear Mr. President, thank you for the interesting and informative interview. Ahead of your state visit to Uzbekistan, what would you like to wish the fraternal people?

Taking this wonderful opportunity, I would like to sincerely congratulate the fraternal people of Uzbekistan on the upcoming 35th anniversary of the country's state independence and convey my deep respect and best wishes for peace, well-being, prosperity, and new achievements.