The search for partners within the spectrum of national interests is not an end in itself, but a means of realizing crucial intentions and plans.
Many factors serve as regulators in building beneficial connections, one of the main ones being cultural and historical closeness. This closeness plays an irreplaceable role in developing joint cooperation programs.
The state visit of Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev to Uzbekistan was a historic event in every sense of the word, confirming the desire of the two nations to jointly address strategic challenges and accumulate potential for the benefit of future generations.
Ethnic unity, the similarity of the Azerbaijani and Uzbek languages, mutual trust, and a respectful perception of each other’s characteristics create favorable conditions for intensifying ties and gradually expanding the boundaries of cooperation. It is no coincidence that Azerbaijan and Central Asia are perceived as a single geopolitical, historical, and cultural space. The beneficial ties of the past and the growing connections of the current era have recreated a favorable platform for elevating interstate relations to the highest level.
From now on, Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan will interact as strategic allies, realizing the potential of the highest form of interstate relations. The defining role in achieving such a significant success was played by the political will, wisdom, and foresight of Presidents Ilham Aliyev and Shavkat Mirziyoyev.
Speaking to the press, the heads of state revealed some very delicate details of the bilateral relations that form a unique atmosphere of mutual trust. The very existence of a High Interstate Council already indicates that the political leaders have ensured a strong foundation upon which to build new blocks of a unified socio-economic monolith. This monolith will serve the interests of the two brotherly countries and meet the expectations of close partners in Baku and Tashkent.
The joint potential accumulated over the past decades allows us to look beyond the horizon of observable events. It is no coincidence that in their statements, the state leaders recommended that the press more broadly and comprehensively cover the significance of the Alliance Treaty between Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan. “You probably don’t fully realize what we have done today,” said Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, “in your presence, we have made history today, and it will be implemented for the benefit of the two close peoples.”
The Azerbaijani leader, supporting his Uzbek colleague, added: “This is indeed, I agree, a historic moment. The Treaty of Allied Relations is the highest international document that two countries can sign… Today, two brotherly peoples, two independent, powerful, sovereign, and worthy states have become official allies. This is the most important foreign policy step that will define our relations and, to a large extent, regional policy for many years to come.”
Over the past four years, the frequency of visits by the top leaders has only increased, indicating mutual interest and a desire to achieve the maximum from cooperation. Creating a favorable environment for the development of bilateral integration is a good indicator. It meets the expectations of other states, recreating a fertile ground for new actors to join the efforts of Baku and Tashkent.
Sometimes it takes years to reach the level of alliance between countries. The state visit of the Azerbaijani president to Uzbekistan in 2022 and the accompanying dynamic of growing relations have led to a strategic alliance. This alliance is capable of setting a high tone within the integration processes that encompass a large area of the Eurasian continent.
The value of this result lies in the fact that the rapprochement between Baku and Tashkent is taking place at a challenging time for most states on the planet, when the hegemonic ambitions of major countries and power centers negatively impact the positions of sovereign states.
There is a dangerous trend of regression involving weak state entities that are barely coping with external challenges. Their sovereignty is slipping away, and their ability to resist external pressures is weakening before our eyes. The readiness of countries linked by a common destiny to develop relations and increase their combined strategic potential serves as a guarantee for protecting national interests.
Azerbaijan’s strategic alliance with Turkey, Russia, China, and Uzbekistan is a significant political success for national diplomacy. The geography of Baku’s partners is expanding, as is the range of its political allies. There is no denying that there is a mobility in the foreign policy segment.
Uzbekistan also stands out for its selectiveness in the external environment. It is not surprising that President Shavkat Mirziyoyev said in his statement that his country has few strategic allies and that Tashkent is strict in its choice of such partners. This is a correct position because, in this important direction, it is not quantitative but qualitative indicators that matter. The two brotherly states, thanks to the pragmatism of their national leaders, are on the right path, ensuring insurance against risks and possible costs.
Cooperation between Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan in the economic sphere is supported by a growing number of signed interstate and intergovernmental documents. The increase in the flow of mutual investments leads to a rise in the number of joint projects. In addition to existing projects, new program foundations are being laid. They contribute to the strengthening of trade and economic relations, and a promising background is clearly emerging.
The future of relations will largely depend on the effectiveness of the implementation of the investment program. President Ilham Aliyev, speaking about the significance of the breakthrough in this area, noted that the joint investment fund with a total capital of 520 million dollars has been fully utilized. This means that new injections are needed. They will certainly follow and meet the needs of new projects in industry, agriculture, tourism, and other important areas.
In Tashkent, during the meeting of Presidents Ilham Aliyev and Shavkat Mirziyoyev with representatives of the business communities of the two countries, new joint Uzbek-Azerbaijani projects were launched. The construction of a textile factory in the city of Khankendi with investment support from the brotherly country will become another symbol of the eternal friendship and brotherhood of the two peoples.
A modern enterprise with a thousand jobs will appear in the revitalizing Khankendi. The construction of the Mirza Ulugbek school in Fizuli for 960 students, the design of new cultural, educational, and economic facilities for the liberated territories, as well as for the cities of Imishli and Yevlakh, indicates that Uzbek investments in Azerbaijan are becoming a reality, meeting the needs of thousands of people.
Similarly, Azerbaijani financial investments in Uzbekistan’s economy will bring dynamism to the creative processes, positively impacting job creation and bringing prosperity to the citizens of the brotherly country. Direct regional ties will also positively affect the implementation of joint projects.
Presidents Ilham Aliyev and Shavkat Mirziyoyev, addressing future plans, stated that third parties, neighbors, and allies of Baku and Tashkent will also benefit from bilateral cooperation, which will be a real contribution to the development of international integration.
During President Ilham Aliyev’s state visit to Uzbekistan, a high coefficient of effectiveness was achieved, revealing strategic depth. Its main meaning lies in the fact that the relations between the brotherly countries are accompanied by high interest, a focus on results, and, most importantly, maximum self-organization.
In the context of a global crisis, these high indicators will undoubtedly ensure the expected result.
Tofig Abbasov
Translated from minval.az
