(MENAFN- Trend News Agency) Details added: first version posted on 14:27
BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 19. Azerbaijan's Prime
Minister Ali Asadov held meeting with his Uzbek colleague Abdulla
Aripov, who is on a visit to the country, the press service of the
Azerbaijani Cabinet of Ministers told trend .
According to the press service, first, Asadov and Aripov held
one-on-one talks, during which relevant issues on the bilateral
agenda were discussed. Then the colleagues continued the meeting
with the participation of delegations from both countries.
It was noted that the basis of bilateral relations between the
two countries was laid by the national leader of the Azerbaijani
people Heydar Aliyev and the first President of Uzbekistan Islam
Karimov.
Gratitude was expressed for the high organization of events on
the occasion of the 100th anniversary of Heydar Aliyev in
Uzbekistan.
It was emphasized with satisfaction that currently, through the
joint efforts of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham
Aliyev and current President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev,
relations between the two countries have reached the level of
strategic partnership, developing comprehensively.
The parties stated that Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan maintain close
cooperation within the framework of international organizations,
including the UN, the CIS, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation
and the Organization of Turkic States.
Asadov wished Uzbekistan success during the country's
chairmanship in the Organization of Turkic States this year.
He noted that personal trusting relationships and constant
contacts between the heads of state play a key role in
strengthening bilateral ties.
"In this regard, last year was very productive. The President of
Azerbaijan visited Uzbekistan three times. The key was the state
visit, which was marked by the signing of a solid package of
documents," Asadov said. "The declaration on deepening strategic
partnership and building up comprehensive cooperation, signed by
the heads of state, raised our relations to a qualitatively new
level."
He also noted the importance of the visit of President Shavkat
Mirziyoyev to Azerbaijan in March of this year to participate in
the Summit of the Contact Group of the Non-Aligned Movement in
response to COVID-19.
At present, intensive preparations for the state visit of the
President of Uzbekistan to Azerbaijan are conducted through the
governments.
The Azerbaijani prime minister gave detailed information about
the large-scale work carried out by Azerbaijan to restore and
develop the liberated territories. He expressed gratitude for the
initiative of the President of Uzbekistan to build a school for 960
students in the liberated Fuzuli city of Azerbaijan.
The parties stated the importance of the meeting of the Joint
Intergovernmental Commission on Cooperation between Azerbaijan and
Uzbekistan, which was held on July 18 in Azerbaijan's Shusha
city.
Hope was expressed that the decisions reached following the
results of the meeting will contribute to the strengthening of the
Azerbaijani-Uzbek mutually beneficial cooperation.
Both sides gave a positive assessment of trade and economic
cooperation between the two countries, and expressed satisfaction
with the significant growth in trade, which increased by almost 64
percent in 2022.
Besides, the parties pointed to the good dynamics of investment
cooperation, noted the significance of the signing of constituent
documents on July 18 in Azerbaijan's Shusha city in connection with
the establishment of the Azerbaijan-Uzbek Investment Fund. Its
establishment was assessed as an additional incentive to strengthen
investment cooperation.
The Uzbek side was informed in detail about the favorable
investment climate in Azerbaijan.
The sides positively assessed the prospects for cooperation in
the transport and transit sector. Last year, the total volume of
cargo transportation between the two countries increased by more
than 65 percent. The importance of the Trans-Caspian International
Transport Route (Middle Corridor) was especially emphasized.
The parties also noted the positive development of industrial
cooperation, and cooperation in the fields of cotton and
sericulture.
Active cooperation in the energy sector was emphasized. Last
year, a roadmap for cooperation in the energy sector was signed
between Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan.
The prime ministers also pointed to the good opportunities that
are opening up in the field of renewable energy sources, and also
expressed satisfaction with the fruitful cooperation in the
agricultural, cultural, humanitarian, educational, health and other
fields.
Then the co-chairs of the Joint Intergovernmental Commission -
Minister of Economy of Azerbaijan Mikayil Jabbarov and Minister of
Investments, Industry and Trade of Uzbekistan Laziz Kudratov held
talks.