BAKU, July 14. /Dunyo IA/. Speaking yesterday at the opening of the 4th Shusha Global Media Forum, President Ilham Aliyev stated that developing relations with Uzbekistan is one of the priorities for Azerbaijan, reports Dunyo IA correspondent.

“Our personal friendship with the honorable President Shavkat Miromonovich has raised these relations to an even higher level, – said the Head of Azerbaijan. – I must note that it was precisely the President of Uzbekistan who was the first to assist us in the restoration of Garabagh. A beautiful, large school named after Mirzo Ulugbek was built in the city of Fuzuli, and together with Shavkat Miromonovich, we celebrated the opening of that school. That is to say, other brotherly states later presented us with gifts as well — Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan — but the very first assistance came specifically from Uzbekistan”.

President Ilham Aliyev noted that the two countries are linked by very close historical ties, and “the development of relations with Uzbekistan is one of our priorities”. The Leader of Azerbaijan emphasized that Uzbekistan's fraternal mission is not limited to the school. The first large industrial enterprise in the city of Khankendi — a garment factory — was once again opened with Uzbek investment.

“Many economic and industrial projects are currently being implemented, – stated the President of Azerbaijan. – Both Azerbaijani and Uzbek investments are being made. We established a joint investment fund valued at 500 million U.S. dollars. This investment fund is engaged in the implementation of various projects in both Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan. Today, Azerbaijan’s oil company, SOCAR, is investing in a very important exploration field in Uzbekistan, and I hope that in the near future it will bring us good tidings and glad news. This is because energy security issues, particularly gas supply, are vital for many countries today, and I hope that the exploration work at the Ustyurt field will conclude with positive results”.

The Leader of Azerbaijan dwelled separately on the established “Azerbaijan - Central Asia” format, emphasizing that President Shavkat Mirziyoyev also has exceptional merits and a special role in this. “Azerbaijan has already joined this Consultative Council as a full member”, – said President Ilham Aliyev. – I had been invited to the summits twice as an honorary guest, but most recently, a unified Azerbaijan-Central Asia Consultative Council was established. This makes us very proud and very happy. I can say that this is a unique occurrence. Because from a geographical standpoint, we are, of course, located in the South Caucasus. However, the cultural, historical, and ethnic ties are so strong, and the political relations are so multifaceted, that the friendly Central Asian countries decided to accept us”.

According to the Head of Azerbaijan, today this will also have a positive impact on geopolitical and geoeconomic relations. Because in this way, Central Asia connects with Azerbaijan in a single economic and political space.

As emphasized, “the foresight and strategic vision of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev have played a very important role here”.

“I know that under the leadership of President Mirziyoyev, the brotherly Uzbek people and state are moving forward successfully and confidently”, – the President of Azerbaijan concluded.

Photo from the website of the President of Azerbaijan