The agreement was signed during Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev’s state visit to Uzbekistan and was described by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev as the key outcome of their summit.
Speaking alongside Aliyev after their talks, Mirziyoyev said the visit was of historic significance and that the new treaty reflected the two countries’ determination to strengthen their strategic partnership, expand joint projects and build a shared future.
The visit also featured the third meeting of the Supreme Interstate Council, which Mirziyoyev said had become an effective platform for advancing and implementing new initiatives within the two countries’ allied relationship.
“Azerbaijan is our reliable ally, strategic partner, and fraternal state. Our relations are based on a shared civilizational code – common historical roots, centuries-old friendship, and similar cultures and traditions,” Mirziyoyev said.
The Uzbek president also noted Azerbaijan’s continued economic development and growing international standing. He again congratulated Aliyev on what he described as the restoration of Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity and the return of Azerbaijani territories, while highlighting the ongoing reconstruction of Karabakh, including the development of social infrastructure and the creation of new jobs.
During their talks, the two leaders reviewed the full spectrum of bilateral relations and heard reports from the co-chairs of the intergovernmental commission on key areas of cooperation, including trade, industry, energy, transport and culture.
The two sides agreed to maintain close political dialogue and expand contacts between their parliaments, governments, sectoral agencies and regions.
Economic ties featured prominently in the discussions. Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan agreed on measures aimed at increasing annual bilateral trade to $1 billion and adopted a program setting out specific steps towards reaching that target.
