As part of the “Globus” project, the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Uzbekistan to Azerbaijan, Bahrom Ashrafkhanov, shared his thoughts:
– In recent years, the number of joint ventures between Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan has grown fivefold – stated Ambassador Bahrom Ashrafkhanov. Currently, there are 540 companies in Uzbekistan with Azerbaijani investment, while around 70 Uzbek enterprises are operating in Azerbaijan.
Based on our accumulated experience, successful joint projects in the automotive industry, textile and sericulture clusters are being established in Azerbaijan. In Uzbekistan, bilateral cooperation has led to the launch of gypsum board and jewelry production.
Over the past five years, the trade turnover between our two countries has tripled, reaching $255 million. The goal is to increase this number to $1 billion.
Last year, Tashkent and Baku agreed on 20 areas of cooperation, including the production and export of green energy to Europe through Azerbaijan. The development of transport and logistics corridors is seen as a strategic factor in economic growth.
The Treaty on Allied Relations, signed by the heads of state in August last year, plays a crucial role in strengthening the partnership between Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan. This historic document marks a new stage in interstate cooperation and has implications for the South Caucasus, Central Asia, and the entire Eurasian region.
Both countries actively support each other within respected international organizations such as the United Nations, the Non-Aligned Movement, the Organization of Turkic States, the CIS, and the Economic Cooperation Organization. The five reciprocal visits of the heads of state over the past three years demonstrate the unprecedented dynamism of the political dialogue.
This year, which has been declared as the Year of Economic Cooperation by Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan, marks the 30th anniversary of the establishment of bilateral diplomatic relations. To commemorate this historic milestone, high-level visits, events, and other significant initiatives are planned. Special attention is being given to strengthening humanitarian ties, and both countries are celebrating the 880th anniversary of the birth of the great poet Nizami Ganjavi.
Interviewed by Muharrama Pirmatova, UzA