Azerbaijan–Uzbekistan: Broadening the horizons of a brotherly alliance

How rich Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan are—above all, in their history and their shared cultural, spiritual, and linguistic roots. Today, however, an equally important asset is the high level of mutual understanding between the leaders of the two states. In an era of growing geopolitical turbulence, this plays a crucial role for both countries. The relationship between them is truly fraternal, with all the implications that entails.

As world history shows, such ties do not arise by chance—they are built on a solid foundation. That is why the figures of the national leaders—Heydar Aliyev and Islam Karimov—hold particular significance.

In 1996, Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan signed the Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation. Just a year later, during the signing of another important package of documents, Heydar Aliyev specifically emphasised both sides’ determination to strengthen their relationship. He noted that with Uzbekistan’s immense potential and the industriousness of its people, a bright future was not far off—and that it would “arrive soon.”

Today, we are witnessing Uzbekistan’s remarkable achievements: a country with a population exceeding 37 million and a GDP of over $115 billion—clear proof of the foresight in Heydar Aliyev’s prediction made nearly three decades ago.

Given the strategic geopolitical and geographic positions of both countries—at the crossroads of Central and South Asia, the Caucasus and the Middle East—Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan have become key transit and logistics hubs linking the world’s major markets. In this context, it is also worth recalling the Declaration on Further Strengthening Strategic Partnership, signed in 2004.

In 2008, Uzbekistan was among the countries that supported the UN General Assembly resolution “The Situation in the Occupied Territories of Azerbaijan.” In 2021, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev congratulated Azerbaijan on the restoration of historical justice, and by 2022, the Declaration on Deepening Strategic Partnership was signed—covering nearly 40 areas of cooperation.

Symbolically, a street and memorial square named after Heydar Aliyev were inaugurated in Tashkent. In 2023, a school named after Mirzo Ulugbek was built in Fuzuli with Uzbekistan’s support. Nearby, in Khankendi, a textile factory was established with Uzbek investment and technology.

President Ilham Aliyev rightly noted that Shavkat Mirziyoyev was the first world leader to provide assistance in the reconstruction of the Karabakh region on his own initiative. The year 2024 in the brotherly relations between the two nations was also marked by the signing of the Treaty on Allied Relations.

Since the beginning of 2025, trade turnover between the two countries has increased by 40%. A joint investment fund is now operational, through which projects worth more than $360 million are being implemented.

These milestones in the development of Azerbaijan–Uzbekistan relations continue to gain new substance and depth.

This is vividly confirmed by the recently signed package of documents, which includes an Action Plan to increase trade turnover to $1 billion by 2030, the Industrial Cooperation Programme for 2025–2027, a Roadmap for the Implementation of the Treaty on Allied Relations for 2025–2029, and several other key agreements.

Equally important were the discussions held during the 2nd meeting of the Azerbaijan–Uzbekistan Supreme Interstate Council. In parallel, the first-ever inter-parliamentary forum between the two countries took place—a historic event.

At the same time, no geostrategic alliance or allied relationship can thrive without a strong cultural and humanitarian foundation. A notable example of this is the opening of the Uzbekistan Park in Baku—set to become a unique space that embodies the rich history, architecture, and culture of the brotherly Uzbek people, in the form of a map of Uzbekistan.

In the same spirit, the first Uzbek–Azerbaijani Forum of University Rectors was held in Andijan. As a result, over 60 cooperation agreements were signed between universities of the two countries.

Overall, the prospects for bilateral relations are striking in both scale and depth.

President Ilham Aliyev noted that the joint investment fund is already practically filled with projects, yet the ambitions of both sides far exceed its charter capital of $500 million. For his part, Shavkat Mirziyoyev announced the existence of a large-scale and ambitious programme for the future.

One telling result is the fivefold increase in the number of joint ventures. Today, over 240 companies with Azerbaijani capital are operating in Uzbekistan, while around 70 Uzbek companies are present in Azerbaijan.

Also of critical importance is the transport infrastructure of Central Asia, which connects via the Caspian Sea to Azerbaijan and further westward. President Aliyev highlighted this, stressing the key role of Azerbaijan as a vital transit bridge.

In harmony with this, a project is underway to produce and export green hydrogen along the Kazakhstan–Uzbekistan–Azerbaijan route. This marks a significant step towards transforming the region into one of the main suppliers of clean energy to Europe and the Middle East.

An important element of cooperation is also the partnership between SOCAR and Uzbekneftegaz, which includes joint geological exploration activities in the Ustyurt region.

All these aspects clearly demonstrate that the brotherhood between the peoples of Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan is unshakable. The unique format of interstate relations, built on deep mutual understanding between the two countries' leaders, serves as a model for the entire world.