Uzbekistan-Azerbaijan: The axis of a Turkic transcontinental bridge Expert opinions on Caliber.Az

The state visit of Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev to Azerbaijan carries both symbolic and strategic weight. Not only does it mark the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two nations, but it also serves as a milestone to reflect on the deepening partnership across multiple spheres.

According to observers and analysts, this visit comes at a time when bilateral ties between Baku and Tashkent have reached an all-time high. As President Mirziyoyev remarked during his trip to Baku: “Never in history have our relations been at such a high level as they are today.”

Azerbaijan has consistently highlighted the unique nature of its relationship with Uzbekistan — one built on a shared Turkic heritage, common historical and cultural roots, and closely aligned visions of governance and development. This foundational affinity has translated into a steady rhythm of high-level visits, joint initiatives, and rapidly expanding cooperation.

So what were the key outcomes of President Mirziyoyev’s visit to Baku? What agreements were signed, and what do they signal for the future of Azerbaijan–Uzbekistan relations?

Caliber.Az spoke to Azerbaijani and Uzbek political analysts to unpack the visit’s implications and assess the road ahead for this strategic Turkic partnership.

Azerbaijani political analyst and diplomat Fikrat Sadikhov emphasised that the visit of the President of Uzbekistan is a state-level visit, and at the same time, the Uzbek leader is taking part in the summit of the Economic Cooperation Organisation (ECO).

“It is very important that our positions on almost all parameters either coincide or are very close. I believe this is precisely the format of strategic partnership between the two countries, which will continue to deepen and expand. This is also evidenced by the participation of the heads of state in the second meeting of the Azerbaijan-Uzbekistan Supreme Interstate Council, where the sides discussed their positions on a number of international and regional issues,” the analyst noted.

In his view, it is also highly significant that Shavkat Mirziyoyev, during his visit to Azerbaijan, is visiting the Karabakh region.

“A symbolic moment of bilateral cooperation will also be the opening of the ‘Uzbekistan’ Park in Baku, which the two presidents laid the foundation for on July 2. This unique park, with its distinct style, will feature an environment that reflects the rich history, architecture, and culture of Uzbekistan. It is our contribution to cooperation and a sign of respect for the brotherly nation.

We deeply value the role of the President of Uzbekistan in advancing our relations, and I believe that following his visit—during which key bilateral agreements were signed—our strategic and allied partnership will reach even greater heights,” Sadikhov stated.

For her part, Uzbek political analyst Ranokhon Tursunova — Doctor of Historical Sciences and Associate Professor at the Department of Political Science of the University of World Economy and Diplomacy (Tashkent) — noted that the state visit of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev to Azerbaijan is an important step towards building a sustainable and multifaceted alliance that could serve as a driver of growth and regional stability.

“The key trends of the Uzbek president’s visit to Baku include several strategic directions. These involve an exchange of views on regional security and coordination of actions on the international stage, with both sides demonstrating a willingness to move forward ‘shoulder to shoulder’; a protocol of intent on cooperation in the fields of shipping and shipbuilding; and a joint industrial cooperation programme between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Republic of Uzbekistan for 2025–2027,” the analyst stated.

“In addition, the joint project portfolio has reached $4 billion, while trade turnover has already grown by 25%. The goal is to raise this figure to $1 billion annually by 2030. There is also an agreement on establishing new mechanisms for collaboration, including the development of industrial zones and the creation of an Azerbaijani-Uzbek logistics company,” Tursunova added.

In her view, the efforts of both countries to revitalise the Middle Corridor are already yielding positive results — freight traffic has increased by 25%, surpassing 1 million tonnes. New agreements have also been reached in the traditional fuel and energy sector, including the joint development of a block in Karakalpakstan by SOCAR and Uzbekneftegaz, as well as the strengthening of industrial cooperation based on both existing and new joint ventures — notably including the production of Chevrolet-branded vehicles.

“The state visit of the President of Uzbekistan marks a deepening of the strategic partnership between the two countries, signalling a shift toward an alliance characterised by regular dialogue and institutional foundations. The leaders of the two nations — Ilham Aliyev and Shavkat Mirziyoyev — emphasise the ‘special nature’ of their relationship, describing it as brotherly, based on trust, historical closeness, and shared cultural roots,” Tursunova explained.

In particular, President Ilham Aliyev stated that Uzbekistan is Azerbaijan’s closest and most reliable partner in the Central Asian region.

“Azerbaijanis and Uzbeks are historically bound by shared origins, with linguistic and cultural affinity further reinforcing both state-to-state relations and ties between the two peoples. As early as the previous century, Tashkent and Baku engaged in active cultural, educational, and scientific exchanges. In the 21st century, the Heydar Aliyev Cultural Centre was built and solemnly inaugurated in Uzbekistan, and just yesterday, the foundation for the ‘Uzbekistan’ Park was laid in Baku. These initiatives carry symbolic — one might say, people-oriented — significance. Furthermore, the two countries support each other within international organisations.

Today, Uzbek-Azerbaijani relations are among the warmest and most productive in the post-Soviet space and the Turkic world,” the political analyst stressed.

She also noted that the development of the new Eurasian transport artery from Asia to Europe — the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route — is not merely an economic undertaking but a geostrategic project of Turkic unity, in which Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan play key roles.

“I would like to clarify exactly how Turkic unity is advancing the Eurasian transport corridor,” said Tursunova. “The point is that Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan serve as the core of the Turkic integration space, where transport and logistics are becoming tools for strengthening this unity.

Both countries are actively developing cooperation within the framework of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS), promoting the Middle Corridor as a flagship infrastructure project for the entire Turkic world. To date, dozens of agreements have been signed on the development of railways, ports, and digital logistics — connecting Uzbekistan’s manufacturing capacity with Azerbaijan’s transit potential. Joint logistics companies and multimodal routes are being established, alongside simplified customs and tariff mechanisms — all within the Turkic bloc.

In this way, Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan have, through their actions, become the axis of a Turkic transcontinental bridge. At the same time, the two countries are not positioning this project in opposition to other routes but are offering an alternative that is resilient to geopolitical risks. And if the current momentum continues, the Middle Corridor could become not just a trade route, but a true symbol of Turkic unity in the 21st century,” Tursunova concluded.