Azerbaijan's SOCAR to open office in Uzbekistan as energy ties deepen

Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan’s state energy company SOCAR are set to deepen cooperation with the planned opening of a representative office in Tashkent, following high-level talks focused on expanding joint oil and gas projects, including development on the Ustyurt Plateau.

Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev met with SOCAR President Rovshan Najaf and senior executives of British Petroleum during their visit to the country for the Uzbekistan Energy Week 2026, Caliber.Az reports, citing the press service of the President of Uzbekistan.

The meeting focused on expanding mutually beneficial cooperation with the leading energy and oil and gas companies.

The sides praised the ongoing partnership in the energy sector. SOCAR is currently participating in a project to develop hydrocarbon fields on the Ustyurt Plateau, and a decision was made to open a representative office of the Azerbaijani company in Uzbekistan.

The participation of British Petroleum in the large-scale project was also highly praised during the talks.

The discussions highlighted the importance of advancing joint initiatives in the oil and gas sector, including exploration, production and deep processing of hydrocarbon resources, the establishment of long-term oil and petroleum product supplies, and the training of industry specialists.

Rovshan Najaf, who also serves as president of the Association of Football Federations of Azerbaijan, commended Mirziyoyev for supporting joint preparations for the FIFA U-20 World Cup, which Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan are set to host in 2027.

By Vafa Guliyeva