ISTANBUL

The leaders of Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan met in the Azerbaijani capital Baku on Tuesday to discuss strengthening ties and boosting cargo transport along the Middle Corridor, a strategically important trade route that spans across a vast Eurasian region connecting China with Europe via Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Georgia and Türkiye.

According to a statement from Azerbaijan’s presidential office, President Ilham Aliyev met with his Uzbek counterpart Shavkat Mirziyoyev to discuss foreign policy, industrial collaboration and the potential for joint investment companies to support and advance transportation and transit between their countries.

The meeting also emphasized increasing cargo transportation and transit along the Middle Corridor and agreed to establish a joint logistics company to develop logistics and port infrastructure in Baku and other third country ports.

“Of course, serious groundwork has already been created for bilateral cooperation in many areas. This includes our individual contacts, regular meetings in Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan and other places, and close interaction between representatives of state bodies,” said Aliyev.

The agenda also included expansions of cultural events, education programs, technology advancements and humanitarian projects in Baku and Uzbekistan’s capital Tashkent. The two leaders also agreed to maintain an active multilateral dialogue within international organizations and offer mutual support against international terrorism, extremism, drug trafficking and cybercrimes.

After the meeting, Aliyev and Mirziyoyev signed an agreement for the establishment of a Supreme Interstate Council between Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan. They stressed the importance of culture, competitive development, economy, energy, transportation, media and youth policies.

They also signed a cooperation memorandum between the national security councils of the two countries, a protocol amending an agreement on visa-free travel for Azerbaijani citizens, and a roadmap for 2023-2024 for deepening the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries.