The president Shavkat Mirziyoyev and the president of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, who arrived the day before on a state visit, today held head-to-head talks and chaired the first session of the Supreme Bilateral Council, the presidential press service said.
The leaders discussed the ways to deepen and expand the Uzbek-Azerbaijani strategic partnership ties and multifaceted cooperation.
Shavkat Mirziyoyev emphasized that the current state visit of the President of Azerbaijan was a historic event. "Today we will sign the Treaty on Allied Relations. In just a few years, we have managed to upgrade the Uzbek-Azerbaijani ties to the highest level of bilateral cooperation," Shavkat Mirziyoyev said.
He highlighted the holding of the first session of the Supreme Interstate Council, "designed to become an effective mechanism for promoting multifaceted cooperation and enriching it with concrete content."
As part of the business program, the presidents will meet with leaders of major companies of the two countries and will launch new cooperation projects.
Next year marks the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan, a program of celebration events and an annual schedule of intensive interdepartmental contacts and exchanges will be prepared.
An agreement was reached to declare next year the Year of Economic Cooperation between Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan and to adopt a comprehensive program covering 20 priority areas.
They have set tasks to their respective governments to significantly increase the two-way trade and move to a new phase of industrial cooperation, including the implementation of projects in third countries.
The parties welcomed the outcomes of the business forum held the day before: where a portfolio of promising projects worth over $2 billion has been formed. This concerns cooperation in the energy, chemical, mining, textile industries, agriculture, urban development and other areas.
They also pointed to the need to strengthen the interconnectivity of the two countries through the implementation of transport and communications, energy and other infrastructure projects, including in a multilateral format. The parties agreed to increase the frequency of flights, simplify procedures for land and air transportation as much as possible, and implement digital solutions.
The emphasized the importance of stepping up of inter-provincial contacts and reached an agreement to adopt a separate plan for inter-provincial cooperation for 2025, a partnership program for the development of industrial potential and infrastructure of the regions of the two countries, and to hold the next Forum of Regions in Kokand.
The two leaders agreed to continue active exchanges in the fields of culture and art, education, healthcare, youth and information policy, and sports. It was noted that by decisions of the presidents, famous cultural figures Farrukh Zakirov and Polad Bulbul oglu were awarded the titles of People's Artists.
Shavkat Mirziyoyev proposed launching a mechanism for regular meetings of rectors of leading universities of the two countries, as well as holding a joint media forum.
The also discussed prospects for the construction of tourist and business complexes in the capitals in order to increase mutual tourist flow, humanitarian and business exchanges.
The heads of state also exchanged views on the international and regional agenda and discussed issues of continuing intensive dialogue and mutual support within the framework of multilateral structures.
