The third meeting of the Azerbaijan-Uzbekistan Supreme Interstate Council was held in Tashkent on August 23, attended by President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev.

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

President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev then delivered a speech.

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Expressing his gratitude to President Shavkat Mirziyoyev for the invitation to visit brotherly Uzbekistan, the hospitality, the warm attitude toward Azerbaijan and its people, as well as his personal contribution to developing bilateral ties, President Ilham Aliyev noted that the video screened before the meeting professionally showcased projects currently underway, some of which have already been realized while others are in the pipeline. “The main point is that we have a concrete agenda for strengthening our interaction. I am confident that as the already identified projects are implemented, new ones will emerge, and even more time will be needed for such video presentations. In fact, I was very pleasantly surprised by this presentation because it reflects the key areas uniting us today.”

Praising the friendly relations between the two countries and Uzbekistan's achievements, President Ilham Aliyev said: “First of all, I would like to congratulate you, esteemed Shavkat Miromonovich, and all our brothers in Uzbekistan on the country's development, the strengthening of its potential, and the major successes achieved both in the socio-economic sphere and on the international stage. Today, Uzbekistan is a state with great international prestige. And this is, above all, your merit. You work tirelessly and invest great effort in developing the country, strengthening its potential, and enhancing Uzbekistan's role on the international stage. As you rightly noted, we always support each other in the bilateral format and across all international organizations in which we participate. This happens automatically.”

The Azerbaijani head of state also thanked Shavkat Mirziyoyev for his assessment of the positive processes underway in the South Caucasus, noting that following the establishment of peace in the South Caucasus, the region can finally breathe a sigh of relief and see the benefits of peaceful development.

Touching upon the potential of the Joint Investment Fund, the President of Azerbaijan said: “I have been reported that approximately $160 million out of the $500 million has already been identified. Naturally, I believe we will utilize these funds soon and determine new areas of cooperation. I must also say that Azerbaijan has such cooperation formats with various countries. However, I would say that the Uzbekistan-Azerbaijan Investment Fund is the most effective and result-oriented fund. Yet the volume of investments for projects we have planned and already signed contracts for far exceeds the fund's volume. It was mentioned in the presentation that an investment of $5 billion is planned for Uzbekistan's tourism sector alone. Additionally, projects being implemented in Tashkent—hotel and residential complexes—are outside the scope of this Investment Fund. Therefore, looking at the investment portfolio as a whole, we see that it is significantly larger than the $500 million we defined.”

President Ilham Aliyev expressed gratitude for Uzbekistan's support in the reconstruction of Karabakh, emphasizing that Uzbekistan and its head of state were the first country and the first president to provide practical assistance to the liberated territories. “The school named after Mirza Ulugbek has now practically admitted all the students who can study there. The school has a capacity of around 1,000 students, and according to the latest data, several hundred students are already studying there, making this school a symbol of our friendship and brotherhood. We have also visited the sewing factory established by our Uzbek friends in Khankendi in a record short time. Together, we met with the staff in Khankendi. Naturally, creating jobs in the Karabakh region—especially for women—is of great importance today. Again, the first investment project to create a modern manufacturing enterprise and create more than 200 jobs is being carried out by Uzbekistan. I am very grateful to you for this,” the President of Azerbaijan emphasized.

Recalling that Uzbekistan's experience in the automotive industry is now being transferred to Azerbaijan, the head of state noted that while the initial project has been completed, a full production cycle is now underway. An investment of more than $80 million is planned in Hajigabul, where a second plant is under construction, providing a significant boost to the country's automotive industry.

Emphasizing the successful execution of agricultural development projects, President Ilham Aliyev said: “We already have tangible results in the transport and transit sector. I have been informed that cargo volumes from Uzbekistan transiting through Azerbaijan are growing. It is also necessary to expedite the construction of a ferry for Uzbekistan. I have discussed this with Shavkat Miromonovich. The issue has been resolved; we just need to include this project in the priority list. Currently, about ten vessels of various modifications—ferries, tankers, and dry cargo ships—are being built simultaneously at our shipyard. The shipyard is operating at full capacity now, so I think this is the most suitable place for the ferry.”

Discussing transport initiatives, the head of state said work is actively continuing on the realization of the Zangezur corridor. Noting that this project will be completed in the main part of Azerbaijan next year, President Ilham Aliyev stated that relevant work has also begun in the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic. He pointed out that the conceptual approach is to view the Nakhchivan railway as an integral part of Azerbaijan Railways, adding that plans are underway to establish an international consortium involving interested companies and countries seeking to invest in the route, generate profit, and ensure cargo volumes.

“For information, I would like to note that work is also underway in Armenia, and our American partners regularly keep us updated on this. According to what we are told, construction on Armenian territory will begin either late this year or early next year. However, the distance there is only 42 kilometers, whereas in the territory of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic it is 194 kilometers. Yes, that is why we started the work, and we will complete it in any case. But knowing that there is interest from various companies, I just wanted to inform that if there is interest, there is an opportunity to participate in the proposed consortium,” added the head of state.

It was also noted that Azerbaijan is modernizing and rebuilding from scratch part of the existing railway line spanning approximately 400 kilometers from Baku to the Armenian border. The Nakhchivan section of the line is about 200 kilometers, and it will serve as an important branch of the Middle Corridor.

Emphasizing the special role of the President of Uzbekistan in involving Azerbaijan as a full participant in the Consultative Meeting of the Heads of State of Central Asia, the head of state highlighted the symbolic significance of this decision being adopted at the Tashkent meeting and expressed his gratitude. Highly praising the Uzbek leader's personal role in ensuring Azerbaijan's full engagement in this format, President Ilham Aliyev stated that Azerbaijan approaches cooperation with Central Asian countries responsibly and with great enthusiasm.