ETERNAL UNION

The state visit of the President of Azerbaijan to Uzbekistan on August 23-24 marked a historic moment in bilateral relations with the signing of a Treaty on Allied Relations, significantly enhancing their interactions.

Amidst Regional Transformation

The timing of the visit was crucial, coinciding with the active formation of a Central Asian political identity. Leading countries in the region are rapidly establishing frameworks for interaction, including bilateral treaties on allied relations or advanced strategic cooperation agreements. 

On December 22, 2022, the presidents of Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan signed a treaty on allied relations in Tashkent. The conclusion of a similar agreement with Azerbaijan is notably significant. According to Uzbekistan's President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, the depth of this event is not fully comprehended by everyone. Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan do not have such arrangements with many countries. For Baku, Uzbekistan becomes its fourth ally after Kazakhstan (2005), Türkiye (2021), and Russia (2022). 

President Ilham Aliyev believes that effective cooperation between Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan positively impacts developments in Central Asia, the South Caucasus, and the Caspian Sea. 

Statements made by the presidents during the first meeting of the Supreme Intergovernmental Council and their joint press conference also highlight their vision for the future development of bilateral relations, which have now entered an allied phase. 

Notably, security issues were not publicly addressed, even though allied relations typically involve cooperation in this area. However, discussions included foreign policy and collaboration within international structures. It was noted that Tashkent and Baku have no disagreements on pressing regional and international issues. 

Both sides have been actively engaged in joint military exercises, enhancing combat readiness and operational compatibility, and providing opportunities for joint operations when necessary. 

This represents a separate format of cooperation, developing according to a specific action plan approved during various meetings and consultations.

Economy: Priority No. 1

The Azerbaijani delegation in Uzbekistan included representatives from the socio-economic sector, indicating that the primary objective was to elevate economic interactions to align with the goals outlined in the Treaty on Allied Relations. 

President Shavkat Mirziyoyev proposed his vision for future trade and economic cooperation steps, endorsed by his Azerbaijani counterpart Ilham Aliyev. This involves priority areas such as agriculture, tourism, construction, pharmaceuticals, and automotive manufacturing. Additionally, a project for exporting "green" energy from Central Asia to Europe via Azerbaijan was highlighted. 

Cooperation in the energy sector also includes gas-related areas. Existing natural gas reserves in Uzbekistan are depleting, necessitating exploration for new sources. Geological exploration activities by Uzbekneftegaz in collaboration with SOCAR on the Ustyurt plateau are noteworthy. Furthermore, SOCAR plans to establish the production of chemicals and drilling fluids in Uzbekistan's Kashkadarya region.

An agreement has been reached to significantly boost trade volumes and advance to a new phase of industrial cooperation, including projects in third countries. Each side is seen as a strategic platform for jointly produced goods to access neighboring regional markets. Relevant agencies have prepared a portfolio of promising projects worth over $2 billion, which were discussed with business representatives from both countries.

The forum was part of a program aimed at revitalizing trade and economic relations between the two nations. During the event, documents were signed to solidify cooperation in energy, education, logistics, and construction. Agreements were also reached to establish sister city relations between Guba and Jizzakh, as well as Shahrisabz and Beylagan. The business forum concluded with B2B meetings and the opening of the Azerbaijan-Uzbekistan Investment Company's office in Tashkent.

Evaluating Cooperation Prospects

To explore opportunities for deeper cooperation across various sectors, specialists from Uzbekistan's Economic Analysis Center will soon visit Azerbaijan. Together with their Azerbaijani counterparts, they will examine existing opportunities and potential for further enhancing economic interaction.

President Ilham Aliyev supported initiatives to accelerate trade and economic ties between the two countries, emphasizing the need to increase capital in the Azerbaijan-Uzbekistan Joint Investment Fund. Its authorized capital is $500 million and is already covered by project applications across diverse areas.

The Uzbek leader proposed declaring 2025 as the year of economic cooperation between Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan. A schedule of intensive political contacts and delegation exchanges will be prepared for regular progress on plans for the upcoming year. The foreign ministries of both nations are developing a program of events dedicated to the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan, which will coincide with their official alliance, making the celebration significant.

Particular attention is being given to the restoration of Garabagh and Zangezur. Previously, Uzbekistan proposed constructing an educational complex in the liberated territories; now both sides are considering establishing a large textile production facility in Khankendi. During Soviet times, there was a textile factory here that sourced materials from Uzbekistan. Today, this cooperation is being revived, contributing to an updated economic profile for Khankendi.

Tashkent has openly supported Azerbaijan's territorial integrity, recognizing the outcomes of the Second Garabagh War and affirming the legitimacy of local anti-terrorism operations in Garabagh in September 2023 that restored Azerbaijan's borders. Now, official Tashkent expresses a desire to actively participate in the revitalization of liberated Azerbaijani territories.

Fostering Humanitarian Dialogue

The cultural aspect of the visit was also rich. The President of Azerbaijan highly praised the achievements of Uzbek athletes at the Paris Olympics, calling it an outstanding event that reflects the level of development in Uzbek sports.

On August 23, Azerbaijan's First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva and Uzbekistan's First Lady Ziroatkhon Mirziyoyeva visited the 'Mehrli' school in Tashkent. This school provides preschool and general secondary education to children who have been hospitalized for extended periods and cannot attend regular schools or kindergartens. By involving parents in the educational process, the school creates conditions for the complete rehabilitation and socialization of these children, using exclusively digital textbooks and resources.

On the same day, Mehriban Aliyeva and her daughter Leyla Aliyeva, along with Ziroatkhon Mirziyoyeva and her daughter Saida Mirziyoyeva, visited an exhibition showcasing works by Uzbekistan's national artist Akmal Nur and a collection of Uzbek national costumes. A similar exhibition was held several months ago at the Heydar Aliyev Center in Baku, allowing the Azerbaijani audience to appreciate the richness of Uzbek national attire.

The highlight of the cultural program was a gala concert dedicated to the visit of the high-ranking Azerbaijani guest, which once again showcased the kinship between the cultures and traditions of both nations.

This visit, described as historic by both presidents of Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan, opens what Ilham Aliyev calls a 'new chapter' in relations between their two peoples. The coming years will see the first pages of this chapter written, significantly influencing the character of the Azerbaijani-Uzbek alliance.