Relations between Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan are built on deep historical ties, religious and cultural affinity, and a shared Turkic heritage.
Both nations were among the first to recognize each other’s independence after the dissolution of the Soviet Union. However, it is over the past five years that bilateral relations have evolved significantly, reaching the level of a strategic partnership, The Caspian Post reports via Uzbek media.
Their cooperation is grounded in a common historical legacy and belonging to the Turkic world. After 1991, both countries began charting independent foreign policies. In the initial period, bilateral ties were mostly diplomatic in nature, with limited engagement. The rise of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev in 2016 marked a turning point, as Uzbekistan adopted a more active foreign policy, which positively impacted its relations with Azerbaijan.
In recent years, cooperation between the two countries has deepened considerably, facilitated by high-level visits and the personal friendship between President Ilham Aliyev and President Shavkat Mirziyoyev.
A landmark event was President Ilham Aliyev’s official visit to Tashkent in June 2022, during which the two leaders signed the Declaration on Strategic Partnership. In 2023, a powerful symbol of brotherhood emerged with Uzbekistan’s construction of a school in the city of Shusha as part of the reconstruction efforts in Karabakh. Regular high-level meetings and the work of joint commissions have strengthened the institutional framework of cooperation.
Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan support each other’s territorial integrity and sovereignty on international platforms, including the United Nations, the Organization of Turkic States (OTS), the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, and the Non-Aligned Movement. Following the liberation of Azerbaijani territories, Uzbekistan was among the first nations to offer support and engage in Karabakh’s reconstruction.
Growing Economic and Transport Cooperation
Economic collaboration has also intensified. In 2023, trade turnover between the two countries exceeded $181 million, nearly double the volume from 2021. For Uzbekistan, gaining access to the Black Sea and European markets through Azerbaijan and Georgia is of strategic importance. Cooperation is expanding within the framework of the Middle Corridor (Trans-Caspian International Transport Route).
Investment opportunities are being explored in sectors such as petrochemicals, agricultural processing, textiles, and mechanical engineering. One of the most promising areas is the establishment of joint industrial parks.
Cultural and Educational Ties
Cooperation in education continues to grow, including mutual recognition of secondary and vocational education documents, and agreements on higher education recognition within the CIS. Leading universities in both countries have signed memorandums of cooperation.
In Uzbekistan, there are faculties dedicated to Azerbaijani language and culture, and the Heydar Aliyev Cultural Center, based at the Azerbaijani Embassy, plays a key role in strengthening cultural and spiritual ties between the two nations. Uzbekistan actively participates in cultural events held in Azerbaijan, including "Cultural Capital of the Turkic World" initiatives. There is an ongoing exchange of students and faculty, as well as joint academic projects and conferences. Several state-level agreements have been signed to deepen this engagement.
Political Will and Strategic Vision
During the second session of the Uzbekistan-Azerbaijan Interstate Council, key areas of cooperation were discussed. Notably, the first-ever parliamentary forum between the two nations also took place. Every strategic alliance needs a strong cultural and humanitarian foundation, and a symbol of this is the opening of Uzbekistan Park in Baku, shaped like a map of the country.
Similarly, the first rectors’ forum between the universities of Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan was held in Andijan.
Concrete steps are already being taken in areas such as the creation of joint investment funds, coordination on the Middle Corridor, tariff harmonization, cooperation in technoparks and the digital economy, as well as joint military exercises and information exchange on security matters. If successfully implemented, these initiatives could elevate bilateral relations from strategic partnership to unshakable brotherhood.
There is strong political will in both countries to enhance ties, with Presidents Aliyev and Mirziyoyev personally committed to realizing this vision.
The Uzbekistan-Azerbaijan relationship is more than just diplomacy - it is a model of unity and solidarity within the Turkic world. In recent years, it has reached the level of a strategic partnership and continues to unlock new opportunities for both nations.
Given the geopolitical context, evolving transport routes, and mutual economic interests, deeper cooperation is not only necessary but inevitable. With enormous potential, these ties are set to play a pivotal role in ensuring the stability and prosperity of the wider region.
