- EURASIAREVIEW.COM - A la une - 05/Jul 22:56

Uzbekistan And Azerbaijan Forge $1B Trade Vision

By Sadokat Jalolova (TCA) -- President Shavkat Mirziyoyev of Uzbekistan arrived in Baku on July 2 for a state visit at the invitation of Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev. He was received at the airport by Deputy Prime Minister Yagub Eyyubov and other senior officials, with an official reception taking place at the presidential residence in Zagulba.  A Thirty-Year Economic Partnership During bilateral talks, Presidents Mirziyoyev and Aliyev reaffirmed their commitment to enhancing the strategic partnership between Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan as the two nations mark 30 years of diplomatic ties. “Never in history have our relations been at such a high level as they are today,” said Mirziyoyev. Economic cooperation was a key focus of the discussions. Trade between the two countries has increased by 25%over the past year, and there are now approximately 300 joint ventures with a combined project portfolio valued at $4 billion. The leaders agreed to a new goal of boosting bilateral trade and investment to $1 billion annually by 2030. A comprehensive cooperation program was adopted to facilitate this, covering sectors such as industry, infrastructure, agriculture, healthcare, tourism, and banking. Advancing Transport and Logistics Links Significant progress was reported in the transport and energy sectors. The two presidents welcomed the growth of cargo transit along the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route, also known as the “Middle Corridor.” Uzbek cargo volumes on the route rose by 25% in 2024, surpassing one million tons, a development supported by the launch of a new electronic permit system in March. The leaders also committed to accelerating work on a joint green energy export initiative targeting European markets. Institutionalizing Strategic Ties Several bilateral documents were signed to formalize cooperation. These included a roadmap for implementing the 2023 Treaty on Alliance Relations through 2029, as well as agreements in environmental protection, science, higher education, and industry for the 2025-2026 period. Additional deals addressed agriculture, food security, social protection, maritime navigation, and municipal partnerships. New sister-city agreements were signed between Tashkent and Sumgayit, and between Navoi and Gabala. At a joint press briefing, Mirziyoyev lauded Azerbaijan’s efforts to restore its UN-recognized territorial integrity, stating, “You have fulfilled the long-standing dream of your father and every citizen of Azerbaijan.” He also praised infrastructure development in formerly disputed territories of Nagorno-Karabakh and described Azerbaijan as a “reliable ally and strategic partner.” The two leaders emphasized their shared positions on regional and global issues and pledged continued coordination in international forums. Mirziyoyev reaffirmed Uzbekistan’s commitment to the diplomatic resolution of conflicts. Cultural Diplomacy and Symbolism The visit featured symbolic and cultural highlights. In Baku’s Ag Sheher district, the presidents laid the foundation for Uzbekistan Park, a 4.5-hectare space celebrating Uzbek culture and architecture. They also inaugurated Uzbekistan’s new embassy in Baku, which includes halls named after different Uzbek regions, with Mirziyoyev proposing to name one of the halls after Karabakh as a gesture of friendship. The two leaders later toured the Sea Breeze resort complex on the Caspian coast, part of the broader Caspian Riviera tourism project. A similar development, Sea Breeze Uzbekistan, is being considered near Tashkent by private investors. On July 3, Mirziyoyev and Aliyev attended the 17th summit of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) in Aghdam, Karabakh. They visited the restored Imaret complex, including the mausoleum of Panah Ali Khan, founder of the Karabakh Khanate. The visit concluded with a cultural event titled Zafar (Victory), featuring music and Karabakh horse performances. The leaders agreed to deepen collaboration in trade, logistics, education, and culture, and announced a series of joint cultural and youth events this fall to commemorate 30 years of bilateral ties. Mirziyoyev expressed confidence that the outcomes of the visit would enhance the prosperity of both nations. A Shifting Geopolitical Landscape Since 2022, particularly after the Second Karabakh War, Azerbaijan has pursued a policy of geopolitical multi-vectorism, intensifying ties with Turkey, Israel, the European Union, and the Central Asian states. In 2024-2025, Baku’s relationship with Moscow soured due to shifts in the South Caucasus power balance and the downing of an Azerbaijan Airlines flight over Kazakhstan, said to have been caused by accidental Russian ground fire. As previously reported by The Times of Central Asia, in January, Aliyev stated that the “guilt for the deaths of Azerbaijani citizens in this accident lies with the representatives of the Russian Federation. We demand justice, we demand punishment of the guilty.” Against this backdrop, Uzbekistan has emerged as a key ally for Azerbaijan on its eastern flank. Uzbek-Azerbaijani relations exemplify the evolving geopolitical architecture of Eurasia, where regional powers are seeking greater autonomy, a balanced approach to global powers, and the increasing assertion of national identity. The growing partnership between Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan strengthens both countries’ positions on the international stage and elevates the Trans-Caspian corridor as a strategic priority in Eurasian policy. About the author: Sadokat Jalolova has worked as a reporter for some time in local newspapers and websites in Uzbekistan, and has enriched her knowledge in the field of journalism through courses at the University of Michigan, Johns Hopkins University, and the University of Amsterdam on the Coursera platform.