Adviser: Uzbekistan-Azerbaijan treaty of eternal friendship opens new chapter

The Treaty of Eternal Friendship signed by the presidents of Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan marks a new chapter in relations between the two countries and should translate into concrete cooperation across a range of sectors, Adviser to the director of Uzbekistan’s Centre for Islamic Civilisation and an Honoured Artist, Tursunali Kuziev, said.

Kuziev told AZERTAC that the treaty adds a new historical and symbolic dimension to the allied relations established between the two countries in 2024.

He noted that Azerbaijan was among the first countries to recognise Uzbekistan’s independence and establish an embassy in Tashkent, saying bilateral ties had since developed beyond traditional diplomacy.

According to Kuziev, the new treaty should lead to the creation of new enterprises, transport links, university programmes and cultural projects, while expanding cooperation in trade, investment, technology, education, science, culture and tourism.

He highlighted joint projects already launched by the two countries in banking, construction, education, tourism, mining and agriculture, saying these initiatives could turn the concept of “eternal friendship” into a system of practical cooperation.

“Today, the President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, is on a state visit to Uzbekistan, accompanied by his wife, Mehriban khanum. He is being warmly welcomed by the President of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, and his wife, Ziroat khanum. I view these meetings not only as a former Minister of Culture and Sport, not only as President of the Academy of Arts, and not only as someone who has had the opportunity to work with Azerbaijani colleagues for many years. I view them as someone who has witnessed this friendship endure through different eras. And today I am genuinely delighted that these two brotherly nations and their leaders are demonstrating to the world a completely different model of international relations,” Kuziev said.

He said the two countries were demonstrating that shared history could serve as a foundation for cooperation rather than division, while presidential diplomacy could develop into closer ties between their peoples.

Kuziev also pointed to the Azerbaijan Park in the New Tashkent area, whose foundation was laid by the two presidents, as a symbol of the future of bilateral relations.

He described the treaty as the beginning of a new chapter rather than an endpoint, saying closer ties between Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan could contribute to stronger connections between Central Asia and the South Caucasus.

“A thousand years of shared history is our memory. Today’s eternal friendship is our choice. And the coming decades are our shared responsibility towards future generations. Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan set an example of how two nations with deep historical ties can transform this memory into a modern partnership, and that partnership into a shared future. From a shared past to a shared present. From a shared present to a shared future," Kuziev concluded.

By Sabina Mammadli