It should be noted that Uzbekistan's bilateral and multilateral relations with Turkmenistan and Azerbaijan have reached a high level. The global changes taking place in the world today require bringing relations between the three countries to a new level in all areas. In particular, there is great potential for enhancing mutual cooperation in the fields of transport and communications, energy, maritime communications and other areas.
The trilateral summit in Turkmenbashi is expected to create the necessary conditions for the productive use of this potential.
A trilateral meeting between President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev, National Leader of the Turkmen people, Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov and Prime Minister of Azerbaijan Ali Asadov took place within the framework of the Third UN Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries, which was held on August 5-8 this year in the Avaza National Tourist Zone of Turkmenistan. Issues of expanding mutually beneficial regional cooperation and promoting joint projects were discussed at the meeting. First of all, it was noted that there are opportunities for cooperation in the fields of energy, transport and logistics, industry and agriculture. Then the parties agreed to continue the dialogue in this format to work out promising projects for practical cooperation.
Uzbek-Turkmen relations have reached a qualitatively new level in recent years due to the political will of the leaders of the two states. In particular, the Strategic Partnership Agreement of March 6, 2017 and the Declaration on Deepening Strategic Partnership of October 21, 2022 serve as a solid contractual and legal basis for bilateral cooperation.
During the mutual official visits of the heads of state and meetings in multilateral formats, special attention is paid to the further development of relations between the two countries. These meetings undoubtedly played an important role in the development and expansion of long-term stable partnership, peace and good neighborliness in the Central Asian region.
Turkmenistan is also one of Uzbekistan's important trading partners. According to the results of the first half of 2025, the volume of mutual trade between our countries amounted to 464 million US dollars. There are 240 joint ventures operating effectively in Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan.
The two countries are also actively involved in the implementation of major energy projects in the region. The transport sector is also a priority area of relations. The integrated road and railway networks of our countries serve as a transit route for third countries.
It should be noted that the history, tourism, culture and traditions connecting the Uzbek and Turkmen peoples have become their common heritage. This proximity serves as a solid foundation for the development of relations in the cultural, humanitarian and tourism spheres.
Another important aspect is that all conditions have been created in our country for the preservation and development of the Turkmen language, culture and traditions. Turkmenistan highly values the legacy of the great Uzbek poet and statesman Alisher Navoi. The gazals of the Turkmen poet and thinker Makhtumkuli Fragi are read with love and tenderness in our country.
Azerbaijan is also a close friend and reliable strategic partner of Uzbekistan, which has stood the test of time. The signing of documents such as the Declaration on Deepening Strategic Partnership and Developing Comprehensive Cooperation in 2022 and the Treaty on Allied Relations in 2024 has opened a completely new page in the history of bilateral relations.
Regular visits and high-level meetings set a high pace in all areas of cooperation and serve as a driving force for the development of bilateral relations.
Expansion of trade, economic and investment ties, increasing competitiveness in the global market, deepening industrial cooperation with foreign partners, creation, development and effective use of new transport corridors in the region are among the most important areas of bilateral cooperation.
A close dialogue is underway at the level of transport administrations, trade and economic ties and industrial cooperation are being strengthened.
Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan are considered countries with great economic potential in Central Asia and the South Caucasus, respectively. This makes them economically promising partners seeking to deepen economic and investment cooperation. More than 250 enterprises operating with the participation of Azerbaijani capital in the fields of trade, mechanical engineering and metalworking, finance and insurance, real estate, energy, services, jewelry production, food and light industry and other areas make a significant contribution to the development of the economy of Uzbekistan.
The opening of the UzAuto automobile assembly plant in Azerbaijan has become one of the most striking examples of industrial cooperation. This project has expanded Uzbekistan's export opportunities and created new jobs in the country. In addition, cooperation in the agro-industrial complex, the textile industry and logistics is successfully developing. Both countries are interested in making effective use of the transit potential of the Trans-Caspian route projects, as well as in integrating transport strategies.
The volume of mutual trade between Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan exceeded $250 million by the end of 2024. At the same time, the parties are striving to increase it several times in the coming years. This is facilitated by the free trade regime established between the countries and the activities of the Joint Intergovernmental Commission on Cooperation, the last meeting of which was held in Baku in June this year.
Also, in order to finance the most promising projects in the territories of the two countries, an Uzbek-Azerbaijani joint investment company with an authorized capital of 500 million dollars was established in 2023.
The creation of these structures testifies to the mutual interest of official Tashkent and Baku in economic integration and the full realization of the existing potential of trade, economic and investment cooperation. This is confirmed by numerous events such as exhibitions, business forums, and business missions. In addition, Uzbekistan plans to export the surplus of green electricity produced in the country to Europe through Azerbaijan starting in 2030. In November 2024, the presidents of Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan launched a project to create a "green" energy corridor "Central Asia - Azerbaijan - Europe". Last December, the three countries signed a founding agreement on the project. The environmental significance of the project should also be noted. Wind and solar energy, which are renewable and environmentally friendly sources and can reduce the impact on the climate, will be used as transported energy.
The historical community of religion, language, culture and traditions plays an important role in the development of cultural, humanitarian and tourist exchanges between Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan. In addition, cultural and literary days, film and creative weeks, tours and art exhibitions are regularly held in the territories of the two states.
Representatives of the Azerbaijani nation living in Uzbekistan today also contribute to strengthening the bonds of friendship with Azerbaijan. In order to preserve their culture and traditions, an Association of Azerbaijani Cultural Centers has been established in our country.
In short, the participation of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev in the trilateral summit in the Uzbekistan-Turkmenistan-Azerbaijan format will primarily serve to further unite the Central Asian and South Caucasus regions, develop multifaceted and mutually beneficial cooperation between the three countries, improve the well-being of the peoples of the two regions and achieve new joint successes.
News agency "Doone".
