Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan: economic and geopolitical interests
The "Eternal Friendship Treaty" and more than a dozen other important documents were signed during the state visit of Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev to Uzbekistan. According to analysts, both sides are equally interested in the rapprochement between Tashkent and Baku, both economically and geopolitically.
Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan: Harmony of Economic and Geopolitical Interests
During the state visit of Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev to Uzbekistan, the Treaty on Eternal Friendship and more than a dozen other important documents were signed. According to analysts, both sides are equally interested in the rapprochement between Tashkent and Baku in economic and geopolitical terms.
**Uzbek-Azerbaijani relations at a new stage: the main results of Aliyev's visit**
According to Oybek Sirojov, more than 12 documents were signed as part of the state visit of Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev to Uzbekistan. The most important of them is the Treaty on Eternal Friendship. The third meeting of the Supreme Interstate Council between Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan was also held.
A number of agreements were also reached at the ministerial level. In particular, a cooperation program for 2026-2028 was signed between the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, and a cooperation program for 2027-2028 between the Ministries of Justice. In addition, a program was adopted to increase the volume of mutual trade to $ 1 billion by 2030.
**Strategic importance on the path to Europe: the role of Azerbaijan**
The South Caucasus is one of the important regions on the path of Central Asia to Europe. Azerbaijan occupies a special place in this direction. One of the important tasks facing Uzbekistan today is the development of stable and efficient transport corridors for the export of national products and goods to world, particularly European, markets.
The geopolitical situation and sanctions in the direction of Iran, as well as the existing risks on the route through Russia, are increasing the need for alternative transport routes. From this point of view, the Middle Corridor is gaining increasing importance. Currently, this route is operated to some extent by road transport. However, the efficiency of land transport corridors depends primarily on the railway infrastructure. In the future, the connection of the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway with the Caspian Sea and Azerbaijan through Turkmenistan can significantly expand existing transport opportunities. This is important for diversifying Uzbekistan's access to European markets.
**Joint fleet in the Caspian Sea: Reducing transport costs and increasing efficiency**
It is noteworthy that during the visit, an agreement was also reached between Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan on the formation of a joint fleet in the Caspian Sea. To put it simply, we will be able to use our own transport operators and fleet to deliver Uzbek cargo through Turkmenistan to the Caspian Sea and from there to Azerbaijan. This, firstly, will reduce transportation costs, and secondly, will increase the attractiveness of the transport route. It will also reduce the need for additional intermediaries. In this regard, Azerbaijan is of strategic importance for Uzbekistan not only from a political, but also from an economic and transport-logistics point of view.