BAKU, Azerbaijan, February 18. Azerbaijan
became the first country in the South Caucasus, with which
Uzbekistan established the highest level of trust relations,
raising the status of bilateral dialogue to the level of allied
relations, Director of the International Institute of Central Asia,
Zhavlon Vahabov, said at an international conference entitled 'C6:
One region, shared future – enhancing strategic dialogue' in Baku
today, Trend
reports.
According to him, the development of cooperation between
Azerbaijan and the countries of Central Asia represents a
qualitative shift in practically all directions of the extensive
agenda.
"Since November of last year, we are no longer C5, but C6. This
is more than numbers: the countries of Central Asia, together with
Azerbaijan, are forming the core of the new institutional Central
Asia. Azerbaijan's accession to the regional format rests first of
all on the solid foundation of bilateral interaction with the
states of Central Asia, as well as on the multilateral structures
that have been formed in recent years," he noted.
Vakhabov emphasized that during the period of intensive
dialogue, transportation along the Middle Corridor through
Azerbaijan increased by 90% in the last three years.
"This is a significant figure that was not observed until 2017.
As for Uzbek-Azerbaijani relations, last year the President of
Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, paid an official visit to
Azerbaijan, and earlier, in 2024, the countries signed an agreement
on allied relations. Bilateral trade also demonstrates the
strengthening of these ties," he added.
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