President Shavkat Mirziyoyev addressed the participants of the high-level meeting “Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan and Europe – Cooperation for Common Development,” held in Tashkent, with the participation of political leaders, representatives of international organizations, and experts.
In his message, the president welcomed the participants to Uzbekistan and expressed appreciation to the Nizami Ganjavi International Center for convening the meeting. He underlined the Center’s role in preserving and promoting the intellectual heritage of the Azerbaijani poet Nizami Ganjavi, noting that his philosophy of justice and harmony remains highly relevant today.
President Mirziyoyev praised the Center’s initiatives, including the Global Baku Forum, which has become an important international dialogue platform for discussing pressing global and regional challenges.
Regional partnership and connectivity
The head of the state emphasized the importance of strengthening cooperation between Central Asia, the South Caucasus, and Europe, describing the meeting as a unique opportunity to promote interregional connectivity and unlock the potential of Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan.
He highlighted the dynamic development of Uzbek-Azerbaijani relations, pointing to the signing of the Treaty on Allied Relations and the active work of the Supreme Interstate Council. He described Azerbaijan as a “strategic bridge” linking Central Asia and Europe.
EU relations grow, Azerbaijan praised
President Mirziyoyev noted that Uzbekistan’s relations with the European Union are entering a new stage. He recalled that Uzbekistan hosted the first Central Asia–EU Summit, where a strategic partnership was established. In the coming months, Uzbekistan intends to sign an Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement with the EU.
He stressed that cooperation with Europe and regional partners will focus on developing transport, logistics, and energy corridors, reinforcing the role of Central Asia as a hub between East and West.
Acknowledging Azerbaijan’s role in promoting regional dialogue, the president expressed appreciation for President Ilham Aliyev’s efforts to strengthen ties between the South Caucasus and Central Asia.
He congratulated Azerbaijan on the signing of the Trilateral Joint Declaration with Armenia, mediated by the United States, calling it a historic step.
Uzbekistan’s reform course
The president also spoke about Uzbekistan’s domestic reforms, highlighting the principle that the country is “open to the world and discovering the world for itself.”
He reaffirmed Uzbekistan’s commitment to building a law-governed, democratic, and socially oriented state while expanding cooperation with international partners.
“Uzbekistan and the Central Asian region offer the international community an invaluable resource – stability, trust, and development,” he stated.
Concluding his address, President Mirziyoyev expressed confidence that the forum will contribute to advancing cooperation and strengthening mutual trust. He wished participants success in their discussions and joint initiatives.
Follow Daryo's official Instagram and Twitter pages to keep current on world news.
Comments (0)