Founder and CEO of Azerbaijan’s Ege Group International Education and Career Center Mikayil Mirzazade has stated that Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan significantly deepened their relationship, moving from a foundation of shared historical, religious, and cultural ties to a robust strategic partnership, according to experts and official sources.
The two countries, among the first to recognize each other’s independence following the Soviet Union’s dissolution, have strengthened their bond notably over the past five years. This progress reflects the common Turkic heritage that forms the backbone of their bilateral relations, The Caspian Post reports, citing Uzbek media.
Since 2016, under the leadership of Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, cooperation has accelerated, marked by frequent high-level visits and deepening institutional frameworks. A milestone was reached in June 2022 when the leaders signed a Declaration on Strategic Partnership during President Aliyev’s official visit to Tashkent. Further symbolizing the growing friendship, Uzbekistan constructed a school in the Azerbaijani city of Shusha in 2023, contributing to the restoration of the Karabakh region.
Both nations continue to support each other’s sovereignty and territorial integrity on major international platforms such as the United Nations, the Organization of Turkic States, and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation. Uzbekistan was among the first to back Azerbaijan after the liberation of its occupied territories and has actively engaged in reconstruction efforts.
Economic ties are flourishing: bilateral trade exceeded $181 million in 2023, nearly doubling since 2021. Uzbekistan values its strategic access to the Black Sea and European markets via Azerbaijan and Georgia, with joint efforts ongoing to expand the Middle Corridor transport route.
Investment talks are progressing in sectors including petrochemicals, agriculture, textiles, and machinery, with plans underway to establish joint industrial parks. Education cooperation is thriving, supported by mutual recognition of academic qualifications and memoranda between leading universities. Cultural ties are nurtured through Azerbaijani language faculties in Uzbekistan and the Heydar Aliyev Azerbaijani Cultural Center in Tashkent.
The second meeting of the Azerbaijan-Uzbekistan Intergovernmental Council and the first-ever parliamentary forum between the two nations have further institutionalized collaboration. Cultural initiatives, such as the opening of the “Uzbekistan” park in Baku and joint university forums, underline the deep humanitarian foundation of the partnership.
Emerging initiatives include joint investment funds, coordination on tariffs and the Middle Corridor, cooperation on technoparks and digital economy, and joint security exercises. Officials say these efforts could transform the strategic partnership into an unbreakable brotherhood.
With strong political will and leadership commitment, Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan’s relationship stands as a prime example of unity and solidarity within the Turkic world, promising stability and development for the region as a whole.
