On August 23, the third meeting of the Supreme Interstate Council of Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan was held in Tashkent with the participation of President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev.
A short film on friendship, trade, and investment cooperation between Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan was screened at the beginning of the meeting.
Following the screening, President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev delivered a speech, saying:
– Dear Ilham Heydarovich, my dear brother, esteemed participants of the meeting,
I once again sincerely welcome you and the delegation of brotherly Azerbaijan to Tashkent. Welcome to Uzbekistan.
Your visit is a meeting of spiritually close states bound together by a shared history, cultural affinity, and mutual respect. Today, we are opening the third meeting of the Supreme Interstate Council. The effective functioning of this mechanism is the best demonstration of the highest level of allied relations achieved by our countries.
Before turning to the items on the agenda, dear Ilham Heydarovich, I would like to congratulate you on the successful implementation of the far-sighted and profound course of reforms you are carrying out in Azerbaijan. As brothers and allies, we sincerely rejoice at how dynamically and sustainably Azerbaijan’s economy is developing, as well as at the creation of new sectors and modern infrastructure. All of this leads to a steady rise in the well-being of the Azerbaijani people. The sovereign policy you resolutely pursue serves to strengthen the country’s international standing and advance the agenda of peace and development in the South Caucasus.
We assess the historic meeting of the leaders of Azerbaijan, Armenia, and the United States in Washington last August, along with the signing of the Joint Declaration, as a brilliant victory for your personal diplomacy. I congratulate you once again and wish you continued great success.
Esteemed meeting participants,
We have elevated our bilateral relations to a truly historic peak. As confirmation of this, one can point to the signing of the historic Treaty on Eternal Friendship following the summit.
Most importantly, every provision of our strategic partnership and alliance is reflected in concrete, tangible results. Over the past five years, the volume of mutual trade has increased threefold, while the total portfolio of joint projects has exceeded $5 billion. And this is by no means the limit. In preparation for this visit, meetings of the Intergovernmental Commission, the Business Council, and the Forum of Regions were successfully held, yielding breakthrough initiatives for the implementation of joint projects and programs. Now, the primary task of the governments, ministries, and agencies of both countries is to ensure their effective implementation. Every time we hold a meeting of the Interstate Council, Ilham Heydarovich and I always tell you that we will keep these matters under strict supervision.
I would like to briefly bring to your attention the priority areas of our comprehensive cooperation:
First, it is essential to continue close coordination between our foreign affairs agencies to promote our shared interests on regional and international platforms. We also agreed to give a strong impetus to ties between our parliaments, governments, ministries, agencies, and regions.
Second, as I just mentioned, our immediate target is to reach a trade turnover of $1 billion. The basis for this will be the program we adopted today, which outlines concrete measures to achieve this key milestone.
Third, we are paying special attention to deepening industrial cooperation. The business communities of our countries are successfully implementing a range of projects in geology, energy, chemicals, finance, construction, agriculture, and other fields. Within the framework of this meeting, we will launch new projects. To support these initiatives, we must actively draw funds from the joint investment company. Ilham Heydarovich and I agreed that we should swiftly utilize the $500 million in capital and subsequently expand this fund, as we have accumulated valuable joint experience in directing its resources effectively. At today’s meeting, we will hear from the co-chairs of the Intergovernmental Commission about detailed plans for expanding trade and deepening cooperation.
Fourth, serious tasks lie ahead for our transport ministers. As part of developing the Middle Corridor, we must accelerate the commissioning of a joint fleet in the Caspian Sea. Furthermore, we are interested in establishing a dedicated Uzbekistan-Azerbaijan corridor in the Caspian Sea with a single operator.
Fifth, our alliance is rooted in centuries of shared history and the affinity of cultural values between our two brotherly nations. It is our duty to carefully preserve and enhance this rich heritage, as well as to regularly hold reciprocal Days of Culture on an appropriate scale. Moreover, such events should take place not only in the capitals but also across the regions of our countries. Today, we will jointly open the new building of the National Pedagogical University named after Nizami Ganjavi and launch the construction of the ‘Azerbaijan’ Park in New Tashkent.
To bring our peoples even closer, we propose creating joint films and establishing a literary bridge between Nizami Ganjavi and Alisher Navoi. This would be a wonderful opportunity for our peoples to draw closer together and serve as an example for the youth. We ought to create a series of such films.
We support holding the second forum of rectors of the two countries’ leading universities in Azerbaijan this autumn. Next year, our countries will host a major sporting event-the FIFA World Youth Championship. In this regard, we should prepare a large-scale program titled ‘Two Countries-One Championship,’ which will bring together our sports, cultural, and youth events preceding the tournament. We also propose establishing the Uzbekistan-Azerbaijan Sports Games, where young people can compete not only in sports arenas but also in intellectual disciplines. Ilham Heydarovich, it would be wonderful if we entrusted this task to our teams.
Esteemed meeting participants,
Our countries support regional consolidation and the strengthening of cooperation. It is gratifying that Tashkent and Baku are playing the primary driving roles in interregional integration. Azerbaijan’s accession to the Consultative Meetings format has opened new horizons for expanding economic and humanitarian cooperation between the two regions. Through joint efforts, we are effectively shaping a new geoeconomic reality-a unified, self-sufficient macro-region with powerful potential for joint development.
Today, we will also discuss other issues of the multifaceted Uzbekistan-Azerbaijan partnership. You should know that we have literally reviewed every single area in detail. Ilham Heydarovich and I share a strong mutual commitment to implementing major, impactful projects across all other areas.
Ilham Heydarovich, it is my pleasure to give the floor to you. Please, go ahead.
Expressing his gratitude to President Shavkat Mirziyoyev for the invitation to visit brotherly Uzbekistan, the hospitality shown, the warm attitude toward Azerbaijan and the Azerbaijani people, as well as his personal contribution to the development of bilateral relations, President Ilham Aliyev noted that the video presentation screened before the meeting professionally showcased the projects currently under way, pointing out that some of them have already been implemented while others are set to be realized. ‘The main point is that we have a concrete agenda for strengthening our interaction. I am confident that as the projects already identified are implemented, new projects will emerge, and more time will be needed for such a video presentation. In fact, I was very pleasantly surprised by this presentation, as it reflects the primary directions uniting us today.’
Praising the friendly relations between the two countries and the achievements of Uzbekistan, President Ilham Aliyev said: ‘First of all, I would like to congratulate you, dear Shavkat Miromonovich, and all our brothers in Uzbekistan on the great success achieved in the development of the country and the strengthening of its potential, both in the socio-economic sphere and in the international arena. Today, Uzbekistan is a state with great international authority. This is primarily your achievement. You work tirelessly, making every effort to develop the country and strengthen its potential, including enhancing Uzbekistan’s role in the international arena. As you rightly noted, we always support each other in the bilateral format and across all international organizations in which we participate. This happens automatically.’
The head of state also expressed his appreciation to Shavkat Mirziyoyev for his assessment of the positive processes in the South Caucasus, stating that, as a result of the establishment of peace in the South Caucasus, the region can finally breathe a sigh of relief and reap the benefits of peaceful development.
Touching upon the potential of the Joint Investment Fund, the President of Azerbaijan said: ‘I have been informed that out of $500 million, approximately $160 million have already been allocated. Naturally, I believe we will utilize these funds soon and define new avenues of cooperation. I must also mention that Azerbaijan has such formats of cooperation with various countries. However, I would say that the most efficient and results-oriented fund is precisely the Uzbekistan-Azerbaijan Investment Fund. Yet, the volume of investments for the projects we have envisioned and already contracted significantly exceeds the capacity of the fund. It was mentioned in this presentation that an investment of $5 billion is planned for Uzbekistan’s tourism sector alone. Furthermore, the projects being implemented in Tashkent – hotel complexes and residential complexes – fall outside the scope of this Investment Fund. Therefore, looking at the overall investment portfolio, we see that it is considerably larger than the $500 million we initially established.’
Expressing his gratitude for the support provided in the process of restoring Garabagh, President Ilham Aliyev emphasized that Uzbekistan and its head of state were the first country and the first President to provide practical assistance to the liberated territories. ‘The school named after Mirzo Ulugbek has today admitted almost all the students it can accommodate. The school has a capacity of nearly 1,000 pupils, and according to the latest data, several hundred students are already studying there; this school also serves as a symbol of our friendship and brotherhood. In addition, together with you, we visited the garment factory in Khankendi, which was established by our Uzbek friends in a record short time. We also met with the staff together in Khankendi. Naturally, creating jobs in the Garabagh region – especially for women – is currently of paramount importance. Once again, the first investment project to establish a modern production facility and create over 200 jobs is being implemented by the Uzbek side. I am deeply grateful to you for this,’ the President of Azerbaijan emphasized.
Recalling that Uzbekistan’s experience in the automotive industry is being transferred to Azerbaijan, the head of state noted that while the initial project has been implemented, full-cycle production is now under way. An investment of over $80 million is planned in Hajigabul, where a second plant is under construction. This plant will, in fact, provide a major impetus to Azerbaijan’s automotive industry.
Emphasizing that projects related to agricultural development are also being successfully implemented, President Ilham Aliyev said: ‘We already have tangible results in the transport and transit sector. I have been informed that the volume of cargo from Uzbekistan transiting through Azerbaijani territory is increasing. It is also necessary to accelerate the construction of a ferry for Uzbekistan. Shavkat Miromonovich and I have discussed this matter. The issue has been resolved; we simply need to include this project on the priority list. Currently, our shipyard is simultaneously constructing about ten vessels of various modifications – ferries, tankers, and dry cargo ships. The shipyard is operating at full capacity now, so I believe this is the most suitable location for the ferry.’
Touching upon projects in the transport sector, the head of state noted that active efforts were under way toward the realization of the Zangezur Corridor. Emphasizing that this project would be completed in the main part of Azerbaijan next year, President Ilham Aliyev pointed out that relevant work has also commenced in the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic. Noting that the conceptual approach is to view the Nakhchivan railway as an integral part of Azerbaijan’s railways, the head of state stressed that plans were in place to establish an international consortium involving interested companies and countries seeking to invest, generate profit, and ensure freight volumes along this route.
‘For your information, I would like to state that work is also under way in Armenia; our American partners regularly inform us about this. According to what we are told, construction on Armenian territory will begin either at the end of this year or early next year. However, the distance there is only 42 kilometers, whereas in the territory of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic it is 194 kilometers. Yes, that is why we started the work, and we will complete it in any case. But since we know there is interest from various companies, I just wanted to inform you that if there is interest, the opportunity to participate in the proposed consortium exists,’ the head of state added.
It was also brought to attention that Azerbaijan is completely reconstructing and modernizing a portion of the existing railway line stretching approximately 400 kilometers from Baku to the Armenian border. The Nakhchivan section of the line spans approximately 200 kilometers. This will serve as a significant branch of the Middle Corridor.
Emphasizing the special role of the President of Uzbekistan in ensuring Azerbaijan’s full participation in the Consultative Meeting of the Heads of State of Central Asian countries, the head of state highlighted the symbolic significance of this decision, adopted at the meeting held in Tashkent, and expressed his gratitude. Highly appreciating the personal role of the Uzbek leader in ensuring Azerbaijan’s full participation in this format, President Ilham Aliyev stated that Azerbaijan acts with great responsibility and enthusiasm in its cooperation with the countries of Central Asia.