
AKIPRESS.COM - The agreement on the establishment of the Supreme Interstate Council between Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan was signed by Presidents Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Ilham Aliyev in Baku on August 22, the presidential press service of Uzbekistan reported.
During the first state visit of Shavkat Mirziyoyev, another 15 documents were signed at the level of states, governments and departments of the two countries.
Among them are the Roadmap for deepening a comprehensive strategic partnership for 2023-2024, agreements on deepening cooperation in the energy sector, cooperation in the fields of youth policy and sports.
Additions and changes were made to the Agreement on visa-free travel of citizens. Agreements were reached on cooperation in introducing an information system for the electronic exchange of permit forms E-permit, in the field of culture, in protecting families and children, in food security. Memorandums were signed on cooperation between the secretariats of the Security Council, in cybersecurity and others.
The presidents and delegations of the two countries discussed key directions for the development of a multifaceted partnership at the talks.
They considered the expansion of trade, the development of industrial cooperation and logistics infrastructure. Major projects in the automotive industry, metallurgy, energy, agriculture, electrical engineering, textile industry, tourism and other industries were reviewed.
A joint Investment Fund and the Uzbek-Azerbaijani Investment Company have been established. The opportunities to increase the trade turnover to $1 billion in coming years by replacing imports from third countries with products of national manufacturers were emphasized.
Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Ilham Aliyev highly appreciated the results of the Uzbek-Azerbaijani business forum held the day before.
The presidents called the development of cooperation in the field of transport and transit as strategically important. An agreement was reached on the implementation of projects for the development of new logistics chains and the construction of infrastructure, as well as an increase in the volume of cargo transportation.
The volume of transportation of Uzbek cargo through the port of Baku almost doubled last year. Uzbekistan intends to increase cargo transportation using the modern transport network of Azerbaijan. The creation of a joint logistics company within the framework of the Trans-Caspian Corridor, as well as the construction of warehouse infrastructure and logistics centers in the ports of Baku and third countries was discussed.
Governors and heads of administrations of the regions will meet regularly to promote new projects of cooperation and humanitarian exchange to develop the regions.
During the talks, special attention was paid to cultural ties. Regular days of culture and cinema, meetings of creative and scientific circles are planned. This year, the first Uzbek-Azerbaijani youth forum will be organized in Uzbekistan. The Days of Uzbek Culture were held in Azerbaijan recently, the presentation of Abdulla Kadyri's novel "Past Days", translated into Azerbaijani, was held.
The Presidents agreed to continue a fruitful dialogue at the platforms of international organizations such as the UN, the Organization of Turkic States, the CIS, the OSCE, the Non-Aligned Movement and other multilateral institutions.