Operativ Media reports that a short film highlighting friendship, trade, and investment cooperation between Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan was screened first.

Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev then addressed the gathering, stating:

"Dear Ilham Heydar oglu, my dear brother. Esteemed participants of the meeting.

I once again cordially welcome you and the brotherly Azerbaijani delegation to Tashkent. Welcome to Uzbekistan.

For us, your visit is a meeting of spiritually close states bound by a shared history, cultural affinity, and mutual respect. Today, we are opening the third meeting of the Supreme Interstate Council. The flawless operation of this mechanism is the finest demonstration of the highest level of allied relations achieved between our countries.

Before moving on to the agenda, dear Ilham Heydar oglu, I would like to congratulate you on the successful implementation of the far-sighted, deep reform course you are pursuing in Azerbaijan. As brothers and allies, we sincerely rejoice in the dynamic and sustainable growth of Azerbaijan’s economy and the establishment of new industries and modern infrastructure. All of this leads to a steady rise in the well-being of the Azerbaijani people. The sovereign policy you resolutely pursue serves to strengthen the country's international standing and advance the agenda of peace and construction in the South Caucasus.

We view the historic meeting of the leaders of Azerbaijan, Armenia, and the United States in Washington last August and the signing of the Joint Declaration as a brilliant triumph of your personal diplomacy. I congratulate you once again and wish you continued great success.

Dear participants of the meeting.

We have brought our bilateral relations to a truly historic peak. A testament to this is the signing of the historic Treaty on Eternal Friendship following this summit.

Most importantly, every provision of our strategic partnership and alliance is reflected in tangible, concrete work. Over the past five years, bilateral trade has tripled, and the total portfolio of joint projects has surpassed $5 billion. This is by no means the limit. In preparation for the visit, meetings of the Intergovernmental Commission, the Business Council, and the Regions Forum were held successfully, resulting in breakthrough initiatives for the implementation of joint projects and programs. The key task now for the governments, ministries, and agencies of both countries is to ensure their effective execution. Every time we hold a meeting of the Interstate Council, Ilham Heydar oglu and I consistently tell you that we will keep these matters under strict control.

I would like to briefly highlight the priority areas of our comprehensive cooperation:

First, it is vital to maintain close coordination between our foreign policy agencies to promote our shared interests in regional and international formats. We also agreed to provide strong momentum to ties between parliaments, governments, ministries, agencies, and regions in a restricted format.

Second, as I just mentioned, our immediate target is to reach the $1 billion trade turnover mark. The program we adopted today outlining concrete measures will serve as the foundation to achieve this key milestone.

Third, we attach special importance to deepening industrial cooperation. Our countries' business communities are successfully carrying out a number of projects in geology, energy, chemicals, finance, construction, agriculture, and other fields. We will launch new projects within this meeting. To support these initiatives, we must actively mobilize funds from the joint investment company. Ilham Heydar oglu and I agreed that we should quickly deploy the $500 million in capital and subsequently expand this fund, as we have gained good joint experience in properly directing its resources. At today's meeting, we will hear from the co-chairs of the Intergovernmental Commission on their detailed plans to increase trade and deepen cooperation.

Fourth, our transport ministers face major tasks. Within the development of the Middle Corridor, we need to accelerate the launch of a joint fleet in the Caspian. We are also interested in establishing a dedicated Uzbekistan-Azerbaijan corridor in the Caspian Sea with a single operator.

Fifth, our alliance is built on centuries of shared history and the close cultural values of two brotherly nations. It is our duty to carefully preserve and enrich this rich heritage, regularly holding mutual Days of Culture on an appropriate scale. Furthermore, such events should be held not only in the capitals but also across the regions of our countries. Today, we will jointly inaugurate the new building of the Nizami Ganjavi National Pedagogical University and break ground on the construction of the 'Azerbaijan' park in New Tashkent.

To bring our peoples even closer, we propose creating joint films and a literary bridge between Nizami Ganjavi and Alisher Navoi. This would be a wonderful opportunity for our peoples to draw closer and serve as an example for the youth. We must create such a series of films.

We support holding the second forum of rectors of leading universities from both countries in Azerbaijan this autumn. Next year, our countries will host a major sporting event—the World Youth Football Championship. In this regard, we should develop a comprehensive 'Two Countries - One Championship' program to bring together pre-tournament sports, cultural, and youth events. We also propose establishing the Uzbekistan-Azerbaijan Sports Games, where youth can compete not only in athletic arenas but also in intellectual disciplines. Ilham Heydar oglu, it would be wonderful to entrust this to our teams.

Dear participants of the meeting.

Our countries support regional consolidation and strengthening cooperation. It is gratifying that Tashkent and Baku are securing their roles as the main driving forces of interregional integration. Azerbaijan's accession to the Consultative Meetings format has opened new horizons for expanding economic and humanitarian cooperation between the two regions. Through joint efforts, we are effectively creating a new geoeconomic reality—a unified, self-sufficient macro-region with strong potential for shared development.

Today, we will also discuss other aspects of the multifaceted Uzbekistan-Azerbaijan partnership. You should know that we have literally reviewed every field with pen in hand. Ilham Heydar oglu and I share a strong mutual desire to carry out major, impactful projects across all other areas.

Ilham Heydar oglu, I am pleased to give the floor to you. Please."

x x x

Expressing gratitude to President Shavkat Mirziyoyev for the invitation to brotherly Uzbekistan, the hospitality, the warm attitude toward Azerbaijan and its people, and his personal contribution to developing bilateral relations, President Ilham Aliyev noted that the video presented before the meeting professionally showcased projects currently underway—some already realized, others set to be implemented. "The main point is that we have a concrete agenda for strengthening our interaction. I am confident that as the established projects are implemented, new ones will emerge, requiring even more time for such video presentations. In fact, I was very pleasantly surprised by this presentation, as it reflected the key areas uniting us today."

Commending the friendly relations between the two countries and the achievements of Uzbekistan, President Ilham Aliyev said: "First of all, I would like to congratulate you, dear Shavkat Miromonovich, and all our brothers in Uzbekistan on the country's development, the strengthening of its potential, and the great successes achieved both socio-economically and on the international stage. Today, Uzbekistan is a state of great international prestige. This is primarily your achievement. You work tirelessly and spare no effort to develop the country, enhance its potential, and strengthen Uzbekistan's role in the international arena. As you rightly noted, we always support each other automatically in bilateral formats and across all international organizations where we participate."

The Azerbaijani head of state also thanked Shavkat Mirziyoyev for his appreciation of the positive developments in the South Caucasus, stating that with peace secured in the South Caucasus, the region can finally breathe freely and experience the benefits of peaceful development.

Addressing the potential of the Joint Investment Fund, the President of Azerbaijan said: "I have been informed that out of $500 million, approximately $160 million has already been identified. Naturally, I believe we will quickly deploy these funds and identify new avenues of cooperation. I must also note that Azerbaijan maintains such cooperation formats with various countries, but I would say that the Uzbekistan-Azerbaijan Investment Fund is the most effective and results-oriented. However, the volume of investments for projects we have planned and already contracted far exceeds the size of the fund. As noted in the presentation, plans include investing $5 billion in Uzbekistan's tourism sector alone. Additionally, projects underway in Tashkent—hotel complexes and residential developments—fall outside this Investment Fund. Therefore, looking at the total investment portfolio, it is substantially larger than the designated $500 million."

President Ilham Aliyev thanked Uzbekistan for its support in the reconstruction of Karabakh, emphasizing that Uzbekistan and its leader were the first country and first president to provide practical assistance to the liberated territories. "The school named after Mirza Ulugbek has now admitted nearly all the pupils it can accommodate. The school has a capacity of around 1,000, and recent data shows several hundred students are already studying there; this school stands as a symbol of our friendship and brotherhood. We also jointly visited a sewing factory in Khankendi built by our Uzbek friends in record time, meeting with the staff there. Naturally, creating jobs in the Karabakh region—especially for women—is of great importance today. Once again, the first investment project to build a modern production facility and create more than 200 jobs was carried out by Uzbekistan. For this, I am deeply grateful to you," the Azerbaijani President stressed.

Recalling that Uzbekistan's expertise in the automotive industry is now being transferred to Azerbaijan, the head of state noted that while the initial project had been completed, the focus now is on a full production cycle. More than $80 million is planned to be invested in Hajigabul, where a second plant is under construction, which will provide a major boost to Azerbaijan's automotive sector.

Highlighting that agricultural development projects are also proceeding successfully, President Ilham Aliyev said: "We already have tangible results in transport and transit. I have been reported that cargo volumes from Uzbekistan transiting Azerbaijan are increasing. It is also necessary to accelerate the construction of ferries for Uzbekistan. Shavkat Miromonovich and I discussed this. The matter is resolved; this project just needs to be placed on the priority list. Currently, our shipyard is concurrently building about ten vessels of various modifications—ferries, tankers, and dry cargo ships. The shipyard is operating at full capacity."

Touching upon transport sector projects, the head of state noted that work on the Zangezur Corridor is actively underway. Highlighting that the project on Azerbaijan's main territory will be completed next year, President Ilham Aliyev pointed out that relevant work has also begun in the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic. Emphasizing that the conceptual approach is to view the Nakhchivan railway as an integral part of Azerbaijan's rail network, the President stated that plans include establishing an international consortium with the participation of interested companies and countries seeking to invest, generate returns, and secure freight volumes along this route.

"For information, I would like to state that work is also underway in Armenia, and our American partners regularly keep us informed. We are told that construction in Armenia will start either late this year or early next year. However, the distance there is only 42 kilometers, whereas in the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic it is 194 kilometers. Yes, that is why we started work and will complete it under all circumstances. But knowing there is interest from various companies, I would simply like to inform that if there is interest, the opportunity to participate in the proposed consortium is available," the head of state added.

It was also highlighted that Azerbaijan is modernizing and rebuilding from scratch a section of the existing railway line spanning approximately 400 kilometers from Baku to the Armenian border, with the Nakhchivan section measuring around 200 kilometers. This will serve as a vital branch of the Middle Corridor.

Highlighting the special role of the President of Uzbekistan in Azerbaijan's integration as a full member into the Consultative Meetings of Central Asian States, the Azerbaijani head of state pointed out the symbolic significance of this decision being adopted at the Tashkent meeting and expressed his appreciation. Praising the Uzbek leader's personal role in ensuring Azerbaijan's full participation in this format, President Ilham Aliyev stated that Azerbaijan approaches cooperation with Central Asian countries responsibly and with great enthusiasm.