President Ilham Aliyev: Uzbekistan is a brotherly country for Azerbaijan, a reliable ally

The President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev gave an interview to the National Information Agency of Uzbekistan (UzA).

BAKU.WS presents the interview.

- Dear Mr. President, you are soon going to participate in the Consultative Meeting of the Heads of Central Asian States in Tashkent. What can you say about this format of regional cooperation? How are Azerbaijan's ties with the region developing and are you satisfied with the current level of cooperation?

- First of all, I would like to note that this will be my third participation as an honorary guest in the Consultative Meeting of the Heads of Central Asian States. The first meeting I was invited to was held in Dushanbe in 2023, the second in Astana in 2024, and the upcoming meeting will be in Tashkent. I express my sincere gratitude to all my colleagues and, first and foremost, to the President of Uzbekistan, my brother Shavkat Mirziyoyev for the invitation, as well as for supporting Azerbaijan's participation in this significant event.

Azerbaijan and the countries of Central Asia form a single historical, cultural, geographical, and geopolitical space with growing strategic importance. The Caspian Sea, at first glance, may physically separate Azerbaijan from the Central Asian countries, but in reality, it is a significant unifying factor. Today, the Caspian Sea is not just a geographical concept; it is, above all, a symbol of strategic unity, economic potential, and historical cooperation of our peoples.

Our countries are united not only by geography but also by historical and cultural ties, common religious and spiritual values, traditions, and customs.

Azerbaijan attaches special importance to the comprehensive development of cooperation with all countries of the region at the highest level. I believe that the strategic partnership and allied relations established between the Central Asian countries and Azerbaijan on a bilateral basis, as well as our active political dialogue and mutual visits play a key role in the success of this format of cooperation.

The dynamics of mutual visits and contacts between the heads of state over the past few years clearly demonstrate the high level of our relationships. Thus, over the past three years, the heads of Central Asian states have made about 30 visits to Azerbaijan, and I myself have visited the fraternal countries 13 times during the same period.

The growing importance of the Middle Corridor creates significant opportunities for expanding our cooperation.

I am convinced that the 7th Consultative Meeting of the Heads of Central Asian States will be a significant stage in strengthening the centuries-old friendship between our fraternal peoples and expanding multilevel cooperation in political, economic, transport, investment, energy, cultural, humanitarian spheres, and in the field of digital transformation.

- Dear Mr. President, you emphasized the intensity of mutual visits, active political dialogue, and high level of mutual understanding that exist between Azerbaijan and Central Asian countries. We have noticed that over the past year and a half, the President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev has visited Azerbaijan five times. In addition, you have met several times at various international forums throughout the year. In the current 30th anniversary year of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan, how would you characterize the state of bilateral ties?

- Uzbekistan is a fraternal country and a reliable ally for Azerbaijan. We are united by common roots, moral values, language, ethnic proximity, as well as a rich historical and cultural heritage. For many centuries, our fraternal peoples have felt deep sympathy and respect for each other, and it is gratifying that today our interstate relations are successfully developing on this solid foundation.

The relations between Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan today are at the highest - allied level.

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