President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev gave an interview to the Uzbekistan National News Agency (UzA).

AZERTAC presents the interview.

— Esteemed Mr. President, Azerbaijan-Uzbekistan relations have developed dynamically in recent years and have reached the highest level — that of alliance. How do you assess the current state and prospects of bilateral relations on the eve of your upcoming state visit to this country?

— Relations between the two brotherly countries — Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan — are based on a shared history, culture, language and moral 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 stage of unprecedented development in recent years, risen to the highest level — that of alliance — and acquired entirely new content.

The sincere friendship, mutual respect and trust that exist between the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, my dear brother, Shavkat Miromonovich Mirziyoyev, and myself play a special role in strengthening Azerbaijan-Uzbekistan brotherhood, bringing interstate ties to their current level and developing our alliance. President Mirziyoyev’s tireless and determined efforts in the name of the fraternity, unity and alliance between our countries have earned him deep respect and affinity in Azerbaijan.

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

Over the past five years, this will be my third state visit and my seventh visit overall to your brotherly country. I always take great pleasure in 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 when visiting brotherly Uzbekistan is the country’s rapid development in all spheres 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 rapid rate of the country’s growth.

The large-scale activities consistently pursued under the wise leadership of the leader of Uzbekistan, my dear brother, Shavkat Miromonovich Mirziyoyev, aimed at the comprehensive development and prosperity of the country, as well as the steady strengthening of the country’s international standing and the significant successes achieved across all key sectors, inspire sincere respect and deep satisfaction. All of this is the result of thoughtful policy, strategic vision, the President’s love for the Homeland, and effective state governance.

In August 2024, I paid a state visit to Uzbekistan, and in July 2025, the President of Uzbekistan paid a state visit to Azerbaijan. The numerous documents signed during these reciprocal visits, in particular the “Declaration on Further Strengthening of Strategic Partnership” and the “Treaty on Allied Relations,” formally enshrined the natural alliance between our two independent, strong and sovereign states. They further strengthened the legal and political foundations of our relations and opened 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 the long-term priorities of cooperation between our states, promote new initiatives and ensure effective coordination of interaction in various spheres. The two Council meetings held to date—in Tashkent and Baku—demonstrate the rapid development of Azerbaijan-Uzbekistan relations, the continuity of political dialogue, and our states’ determination to pursue long-term joint activities.

Today, our political relations are further enriched by large-scale cooperation in the spheres of the economy, investment, industry, transport, logistics, energy, agriculture, education, science, culture and the humanitarian field. The projects being implemented 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 of great importance for further expanding comprehensive cooperation between our countries, implementing new joint initiatives and strengthening our allied relations.

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

— Our trade and economic cooperation have developed rapidly in recent years. In 2025, the volume of trade turnover between Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan increased more than threefold compared to the previous year and reached USD 795 million. This is an excellent indicator. In addition, in January–May 2026, trade turnover grew by 33 percent compared to the same period of the previous year and amounted to USD 144 million.

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

Furthermore, the Intergovernmental Commission plays an important role in developing cooperation in the economic, trade, investment and other spheres. To date, 15 meetings of the Commission have been held. During the most recent meeting in Tashkent, the current state of Azerbaijan-Uzbekistan trade and economic relations, the results achieved and areas with potential for further development were discussed in detail.

Our cooperation in the energy sector is also actively developing. The joint venture Neftegaztexnologiya, established on the basis of the Uzbek institute O'ZLITINEFTGAZ and SOCAR NIPI Neftegas, has been successfully operating in the oil and gas industry since 2016. In addition, the SOCAR–Uzbekneftegaz JSC joint venture Turan Energy AFEZCO, established in 2024, is engaged in exporting to Uzbekistan high-pressure polyethylene produced by Azerikimya Production Union.

Our cooperation in the field of green energy is also continuing. In 2025, the relevant energy agencies of Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan established the Green Corridor Union LLC in Baku. This joint venture was created to coordinate the implementation of the Azerbaijan–Central Asia Green Energy Corridor project, the export of renewable energy, and the possibilities of transmitting it across the bottom of the Caspian Sea.

There is also growth in transit transportation between the two countries. In 2025, its volume increased by 6.7 percent and amounted to 1.4 million tons. In January–June of the current year, a 12.2 percent increase was also recorded, with the figure reaching 675,000 tons.

A number of joint projects implemented with the Uzbek side make an important contribution to the further expansion of economic cooperation and the creation of new development opportunities between our countries. In this regard, I would particularly note the establishment of a pomegranate orchard called the “Garden of Friendship,” covering an area of 100 hectares in the liberated Fuzuli district, as well as cooperation in the production of Chevrolet and Isuzu brand vehicles. I should also note that, as of July 13, 2026, a total of 10,720 Chevrolet cars and 275 Isuzu buses had been produced.

Currently, more than 130 commercial entities with Uzbek investments are registered in our country and are successfully operating in various sectors of the economy — industry, agriculture, construction, transport 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 been established between our countries.

The economic opportunities offered by Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan complement each other, opening up broad horizons for creating new formats of cooperation. We support 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, including the hotel and residential complex under the Ritz-Carlton brand being built by PASHA Holding in Tashkent, as well as the large tourism and residential complex project “Sea Breeze Uzbekistan” in the Tashkent region.

I am confident that our mutually beneficial economic partnership will continue to develop successfully, expand through new initiatives, and contribute to the well-being of our peoples, serving as one of the important pillars of Azerbaijan-Uzbekistan allied relations.