BAKU, Azerbaijan, August 23. President of the
Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev is paying a state visit to the
Republic of Uzbekistan on August 23–24, 2026.
Azerbaijan’s foreign policy attaches particular importance to
developing relations with the countries of Central Asia, including
Uzbekistan. Relations between the two countries, based on
friendship and brotherhood, have now reached the level of allied
relations.
The Azerbaijani and Uzbek peoples share a common history,
language, religion, culture and traditions. This closeness has
created a strong foundation for developing ties between the two
countries in the political, economic, humanitarian and other
spheres.
National Leader Heydar Aliyev also made a significant
contribution to the development of Azerbaijani-Uzbek relations. His
official visit to Uzbekistan on June 18–19, 1997 played an
important role in defining the future directions of bilateral
cooperation.
Through the political will and attention of President Ilham
Aliyev, relations between the two countries have entered a new
stage of development. The relations between President Ilham Aliyev
and President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev, based on mutual
trust and respect, make an important contribution to expanding
cooperation.
Over the past five years, President Ilham Aliyev has made two
state and four working visits to Uzbekistan. During the same
period, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev has made two state and seven
working visits to Azerbaijan. Such intensive political dialogue
demonstrates the high level of relations between the two
countries.
The legal framework for strategic partnership and allied
relations between the two countries has also expanded significantly
in recent years. Numerous documents have been signed, including the
Declaration on Deepening Strategic Partnership and Expanding
Comprehensive Cooperation, the Treaty on the Establishment of the
Supreme Interstate Council, and the Treaty on Allied Relations. In
total, around 220 documents have been signed between Azerbaijan and
Uzbekistan.
Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan also cooperate effectively within
international and regional organizations. The two countries
interact within the UN, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation,
the Organization of Turkic States, the Economic Cooperation
Organization, the Non-Aligned Movement and other multilateral
platforms.
The Consultative Meetings of the Heads of State of Central Asia
are also of particular importance for deepening Azerbaijan’s
cooperation with the countries of Central Asia. At the 7th
Consultative Meeting, held in Tashkent on November 16, 2025, a
decision was made on Azerbaijan’s full participation in this
format. Thus, the cooperation format was effectively expanded from
C5 to C6.
Economic ties are also among the key areas of Azerbaijani-Uzbek
relations. More than 130 Uzbek companies currently operate in
Azerbaijan. Some of these companies are also involved in
implementing economic projects in the territories liberated from
occupation.
In 2025, trade turnover between the two countries increased more
than threefold compared with 2024, reaching $795 million. In
January–May 2026, trade turnover amounted to $144 million, up 33
percent compared with the same period of the previous year.
The Azerbaijan-Uzbekistan Investment Company, established in
2023, has also become an important platform for developing
investment cooperation between the two countries. The
Intergovernmental Commission plays an important role in expanding
economic, trade and investment ties. Its 15th meeting was held in
Tashkent on July 17, 2026.
Cooperation is also developing in the energy and transport
sectors. The Neftgaztechnology joint venture, operating since 2016,
is one example of cooperation in the oil and gas sector. In 2025,
the volume of transit transportation between Azerbaijan and
Uzbekistan amounted to 1.4 million tons.
The two countries are also continuing cooperation on the
reconstruction and development of the territories liberated from
occupation. The Garden of Friendship project is planned to be
implemented on an area of 100 hectares in the Fuzuli district. At
Uzbekistan’s initiative, the Mirza Ulugbek School, designed for 960
students, has also been built in Fuzuli.
Cultural and humanitarian ties are also among the important
areas of relations between the two countries. Mutual cultural days
have been held in Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan, while sister-city ties
have been established between cities of the two countries.
Cooperation in education is also expanding. In the 2025/2026
academic year, around 70 Uzbek citizens studied in Azerbaijan,
while around 180 Azerbaijani citizens studied in Uzbekistan.
Thus, the allied relations that have developed between
Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan have evolved from political dialogue into
a broad model of cooperation covering the economy, energy,
transport, investment, culture, education and other areas.
President Ilham Aliyev’s state visit to Uzbekistan is also of
significant importance for further strengthening relations between
the two brotherly countries.
