President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev addressed members of the media following talks between the two leaders, summarizing the outcomes of the negotiations.
Mirziyoyev expressed deep satisfaction, describing Aliyev's state visit to Uzbekistan as an event of undeniable historical significance.
The Uzbek president noted that the signing of the Treaty of Eternal Friendship stood as the summit's most consequential achievement. According to Mirziyoyev, the accord reflects a shared commitment to deepening bilateral cooperation, expanding existing opportunities, and building a common future.
The visit also included the third session of the Supreme Bilateral Council, which has become an effective mechanism for developing and implementing new initiatives aimed at strengthening the two nations' alliance.
Mirziyoyev highlighted Azerbaijan's steady economic growth and its rising international standing. He once again congratulated Aliyev on the restoration of Azerbaijan's territorial integrity and the return of its historic lands, paying particular attention to the reconstruction of Karabakh, where new social infrastructure is being rapidly built and jobs are being created.
"Azerbaijan is our trusted ally, strategic partner, and a fraternal nation," the Uzbek leader said. "Our relationship is rooted in a shared civilizational code — common historical origins, centuries of friendship, and closely related culture and traditions."
Officials noted that extensive preparation had gone into the summit, including successful sessions of the Intergovernmental Commission, the Business Council, and a provinceal forum.
During the talks, the two presidents conducted a comprehensive review of all aspects of their multifaceted relationship, receiving briefings from the co-chairs of the Intergovernmental Commission on key areas of cooperation — chief among them trade, industrial cooperation, energy, transport, and culture.
Both sides agreed to further strengthen political dialogue and to support active engagement between parliaments, governments, sectoral agencies, and provinces.
Economic issues took center stage in the discussions. The two leaders examined ways to raise bilateral trade turnover to $1 billion, and adopted a corresponding action plan outlining concrete steps for reaching that target. New growth areas were also identified for expanding industrial cooperation.
Ahead of the visit, the two leaders had assembled a substantial package of joint projects spanning energy, geology, chemicals, construction, finance, agriculture, and other sectors — with the Investment Fund, established several years ago, playing a key role in advancing these initiatives.
The leaders also reached an agreement on fully mobilizing the potential of their respective provinces. As part of that effort, the governors of Tashkent city, along with the Bukhara and Namangan provinces, visited Azerbaijan earlier this month.
Transport and transit cooperation emerged as another priority — particularly the joint development of the Trans-Caspian corridor, improving the efficiency of logistics infrastructure, and boosting freight traffic.
Close cultural and humanitarian ties between the two nations continue to serve as a reliable bridge of friendship. A new building for the Nizami Ganjavi Pedagogical University is set to open today, while construction begins on an "Azerbaijan" park in the Tashkent city district of New Tashkent.
Before the year's end, Uzbekistan will host Days of Azerbaijani Culture, and Azerbaijan will hold the second forum of rectors of higher education institutions. A joint feature film dedicated to the literary legacy of Nizami Ganjavi and Alisher Navoi is also set to go into production — a milestone the two countries expect to be a major cultural event.
Officials also confirmed that, following a FIFA decision, Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan will jointly host next year's FIFA U-20 World Cup. The two countries agreed to carry out an extensive "Two countries, one championship" program around the tournament.
Concluding his remarks, Mirziyoyev thanked his Azerbaijani counterpart for supporting the proposals and initiatives put forward during the visit, expressing confidence that the historic trip would give bilateral cooperation concrete substance and open new horizons for joint projects and the sustainable development of both fraternal nations.
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