(English) Uzbekistan — Azerbaijan: Common Interests and Priorities

 

     The editorial board of the Economic Bulletin of Uzbekistan magazine brings to your attention an interview with Mr. Guseyn GULIYEV, Ambassador of the Republic of Azerbaijan to the Republic of Uzbekistan, in which the issues of comprehensive development of relations with the brotherly state, which are among the priorities of Uzbekistan’s foreign policy, are discussed. On the threshold of a new era of integration of the Turkic world, when economic and cultural ties between the peoples have reached an unprecedented level, Mr. Guliyev has kindly agreed to answer important questions concerning large-scale projects in the sphere of trade, economic growth, cultural and humanitarian cooperation, as well as the Organization of Turkic States (OTS).

 

     — Mr. Ambassador, how do you assess the current state of economic co-operation between Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan? Which sectors are priorities for the development of bilateral relations?
     — 2 October this year marks the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan. The first embassy of the Republic of Azerbaijan in Central Asia was opened in Tashkent. Historical and cultural commonality, ethnic roots, language, religion -we can see all this laid solid foundation for the high relations. Since 2016, after the election of Shavkat Mirziyoyev as President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, the relationship between our countries has reached a qualitatively new level. Like the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Heydarovich Aliyev, Mr. Mirziyoyev is a supporter of transformations in socio-economic, humanitarian, environmental and other spheres, reforms aimed at improving the life of the people and continuous development of the country. Both our states pursue a peace-loving foreign policy, actively participating in the work of various international organizations. On 23 August 2024, our presidents signed the Treaty of Allied Relations, the highest international document possible between the two states. There is not a single sphere of economy and culture, including humanitarian, social, military-technical and many others, in which close co-operation between our countries is not observed. It should be taken into account that all of this is based on a huge legal and contractual framework and is in the zone of constant attention of the leadership of our countries.
     In answering your question, I would like to start with the second part of it. In my opinion, all sectors of the economy are priorities for the development of bilateral economic relations. The complementarity of our economies, the experience each country has in various fields of industry and agriculture, geographical location, and natural resources – these all truly create limitless opportunities for the development of our countries.
     Undoubtedly, today Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan are major economic partners, with ties that are continuously strengthening and deepening, also touching upon the development of both small and large businesses. Currently, nearly 240 enterprises with Azerbaijani capital operate in Uzbekistan, including more than 60 joint ventures, while 70 Uzbek companies are actively working in Azerbaijan. Cooperation between the two fraternal countries covers almost all types of freight transport, energy, wholesale and retail trade, the automotive industry, the oil and gas sector, education, pharmaceuticals, tourism, the financial sector, information and communication technologies, the restaurant and hotel business, as well as agriculture. The above is implemented within the framework of the adopted joint «road» map for expanding trade, economic and investment cooperation for 2024-2025.
     Based on joint experience, projects have been launched for the production of vehicles (a factory for the production of passenger cars is being built in the Gadjigabul district, and plans are underway to start the production of buses, trucks, and agricultural machinery), textile and silk production in Azerbaijan, and projects for the production of drywall and jeweler in Uzbekistan, among many others. For example, the Uzbek side plans to extract and process mineral resources in our country, and the production of building materials for their use in reconstruction works in Karabakh. Azerbaijani companies plan to participate in the development of Uzbek deposits of non-ferrous metals, including copper.
     In the agricultural sector, work has begun on the creation of greenhouse complexes and fruit orchards, the cultivation of hazelnuts, the production of dried fruits, and many other areas. Collaborative efforts in the fields of energy and transport must also be noted. In 2022, our countries approved a ‘roadmap’ for expanding cooperation in the energy sector. This roadmap encompasses many areas, within which a Joint Working Group is being established, and participation of Uzbek companies in renewable energy projects is planned, along with cooperation in the liberated territories of Azerbaijan. SOCAR and ‘Uzbekneftegaz’ are actively collaborating in the development of oil fields in Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan, implementing joint projects in the oil and gas sector, including the completion of the process for ‘Uzbekneftegaz’ to join the Shah Deniz gas condensate project on the Azerbaijani Caspian shelf. At the same time, joint plans are underway to develop three hydrocarbon fields in Azerbaijan.
     Both of our countries pay great attention to environmental issues. As you know, at the initiative of the President of Uzbekistan, Sh. Mirziyoyev, reforms are being implemented in the country aimed at transitioning the Republic of Uzbekistan to a ‘green economy’ by 2030. Azerbaijan, as the chair of COP29, has launched several global projects reflecting our country’s proactive stance on environmental protection. In this regard, I would like to mention the ‘Agreement on Strategic Partnership in the Production and Transmission of Green Energy between the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Republic of Azerbaijan, and the Republic of Uzbekistan’, which provides for the creation of an energy corridor connecting Azerbaijan, Central Asia, and Europe.
     Using this «green corridor», Uzbekistan is ready to export up to 10-15 billion kWh of green energy to European countries through Azerbaijan by 2030. The development of cooperation in the field of transport is becoming increasingly relevant. Uzbekistan is intensively increasing the volume of transport, taking advantage of Azerbaijan’s infrastructure. The Baku–Tbilisi–Kars railway is actively being utilised. I don’t think I would be mistaken in saying that last year the volume of these freight shipments exceeded 1 million tonnes. The Uzbek side plans to significantly increase supplies along this route, considering its recent modernisation and increased capacity. I would like to note that the Azerbaijani side offers discounts and preferences of up to 50% on railway transport for entrepreneurs from Uzbekistan.
     Moreover, work is underway to increase cargo transportation through the Baku International Sea Trade Port. It is noteworthy that Uzbekistan intends to create a logistics infrastructure and build a separate terminal within the Baku port area. Negotiations are taking place between our countries on the implementation of joint projects in shipbuilding and shipping.
     On our part, we are interested in extending the planned railway line from China to Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan to the Caspian Sea, which would connect Azerbaijan with China and the South Asian region.
     Uzbekistan’s extensive experience in the textile industry (notably, exports in this sector exceed 4 billion USD) is being utilised in Azerbaijan, particularly in the regions of Imishli and Yevlakh, as well as in the lands freed from Armenian occupation. As you know, on 13 November 2024, the presidents of our countries inaugurated a sewing factory in the city of Khankendi. In this regard, I would like to quote the words of the President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev: «This factory is yet another symbol of our unity. I expressed my gratitude to my brother Shavkat Mirziyoyev for the fact that in a short time our Uzbek friends helped create a wonderful enterprise in Khankendi, where thousands of people will work, and naturally, the vast majority will be women. This is employment, this is production, this is the development of Karabakh. And our Uzbek brothers are again the first here. They were the first to assist us in building a school in Fuzuli and the first to help in establishing such a large enterprise in the liberated territories.»
Once again, I express my gratitude to Shavkat Mironovich, all our Uzbek friends, and brothers for such fraternal relations, and I congratulate you on the opening of this enterprise.
     — In 2023, Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan established an Investment Fund with a capital of 500 million dollars. During the last visit of the President of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, to Baku, the parties agreed to increase its capital. What projects will be funded from this fund?

 

 

 

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