Leaders of Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan hold second meeting of Supreme Interstate Council

TASHKENT, July 03 (UzA/APP) : The President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev and the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev held a meeting in a contracted format and the second meeting of the Supreme Interstate Council.
The issues of further strengthening friendship, strategic partnership, and alliance between Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan, as well as the expansion of cooperation and exchanges in priority areas of collaboration, were considered.
The President of Uzbekistan emphasized that the current state visit and the second session of the Supreme Interstate Council are taking place in the year of the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
“Never in history have our relations been at such a high level as they are today”, the Leader of Uzbekistan emphasized. The presidents noted the dynamic development of multifaceted cooperation at all levels. Yesterday, the first Inter-Parliamentary Forum was held in Khiva. The Intergovernmental Commission and the Forum of Regions were held fruitfully in Baku. Recently, the first Rectors Forum was organized in Andijan, where more than 60 agreements were signed. The Azerbaijani ensemble “Shirvan” won the Grand Prix of the Bakhshi Festival in Khiva.
In the Year of Economic Cooperation, trade turnover increased by 25%. The portfolio of projects reached $4 billion. About 300 joint ventures are operating.
During the visit, the construction of the Uzbekistan Park in Baku will be launched, and a new building of the country’s embassy in Azerbaijan will be opened.
An agreement has been reached to continue practical interaction at the level of parliaments, governments, ministries, and regions. The importance of mutual support within international structures has been confirmed.
The possibilities of bringing the volume of trade turnover and investments up to $1 billion annually were discussed in detail. It was noted that a separate Cooperation Program is being adopted, which will include projects in various sectors, including industry, infrastructure, agriculture, healthcare, tourism, and the banking sector, among others.
The importance of expanding the activities of the joint Investment Company was emphasized. New formats of interaction, such as the Council of Entrepreneurs and the Forum of Industrial and Economic Zones, were also supported.
Special attention was paid to partnership in transportation and communications. Projects of participation in the development of the Middle Corridor were discussed.
The growth of Uzbek cargo transportation through this corridor by 25% – more than 1 million tons – has been noted with satisfaction. Additionally, the transition to electronic permits for cargo transportation was implemented as of March this year.
An agreement was also reached to accelerate the preparation of a joint project on electricity export to Europe.
To properly celebrate the anniversary of diplomatic relations, the sides have decided to hold several joint cultural and youth events this fall.
The Heads of state also exchanged views on the international and regional agenda. During the meeting, the reports of the co-chairs of the Intergovernmental Commission, as well as the Ministers of Transport, Energy, and Culture, were presented on the agenda of the negotiations.
Following the session, it was decided to adopt a roadmap for the timely and quality implementation of the reached agreements.