Tashkent: A high-level international conference titled ‘Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan, and Europe: Cooperation for Common Development’ is being held in the city of Tashkent.
According to Azerbaijan State News Agency, the event is organized by the Nizami Ganjavi International Center (NGIC) and supported by the Institute for Strategic and Interregional Studies under the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan (ISRS), the Agency for Strategic Reforms under the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Uzbekistan. It has gathered former heads of states, foreign ministers, and representatives of European Union institutions.
Addressing the conference, Bakhromjon Sotivoldiyev, ISRS Head of Department, stated that the conference is focused on discussing key areas of cooperation between Tashkent, Baku, and Brussels. He emphasized that due to the lack of direct access to the sea for Central Asian countries, it is crucial to diversify routes and opt for short, optimal corridors to deliver goods to seaports. Bakhromjon Sotivoldiyev noted that Uzbekistan actively utilizes Azerbaijan’s transit capabilities, creating a passage toward the Caucasus region and subsequently to the European market via the Black Sea.
According to the ISRS Head of Department, Azerbaijan supports these efforts and provides opportunities to utilize its infrastructure and transport capabilities. The event serves as a platform for dialogue between Central Asia, the South Caucasus, and Europe, reflecting Uzbekistan’s active foreign policy under President Shavkat Mirziyoyev.
Participants noted that the interaction between Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan has expanded, with numerous joint projects in the fields of economy, transport, and humanitarian cooperation.