BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 19. Azerbaijan's Prime Minister Ali Asadov held meeting with his Uzbek colleague Abdulla Aripov, who is on a visit to the country, the press service of the Azerbaijani Cabinet of Ministers told Trend.

According to the press service, first, Asadov and Aripov held one-on-one talks, during which relevant issues on the bilateral agenda were discussed. Then the colleagues continued the meeting with the participation of delegations from both countries.

It was noted that the basis of bilateral relations between the two countries was laid by the national leader of the Azerbaijani people Heydar Aliyev and the first President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov.

Gratitude was expressed for the high organization of events on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of Heydar Aliyev in Uzbekistan.

It was emphasized with satisfaction that currently, through the joint efforts of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and current President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev, relations between the two countries have reached the level of strategic partnership, developing comprehensively.

The parties stated that Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan maintain close cooperation within the framework of international organizations, including the UN, the CIS, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and the Organization of Turkic States.

Asadov wished Uzbekistan success during the country's chairmanship in the Organization of Turkic States this year.

He noted that personal trusting relationships and constant contacts between the heads of state play a key role in strengthening bilateral ties.

"In this regard, last year was very productive. The President of Azerbaijan visited Uzbekistan three times. The key was the state visit, which was marked by the signing of a solid package of documents," Asadov said. "The declaration on deepening strategic partnership and building up comprehensive cooperation, signed by the heads of state, raised our relations to a qualitatively new level."

He also noted the importance of the visit of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev to Azerbaijan in March of this year to participate in the Summit of the Contact Group of the Non-Aligned Movement in response to COVID-19.

At present, intensive preparations for the state visit of the President of Uzbekistan to Azerbaijan are conducted through the governments.

The Azerbaijani prime minister gave detailed information about the large-scale work carried out by Azerbaijan to restore and develop the liberated territories. He expressed gratitude for the initiative of the President of Uzbekistan to build a school for 960 students in the liberated Fuzuli city of Azerbaijan.

The parties stated the importance of the meeting of the Joint Intergovernmental Commission on Cooperation between Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan, which was held on July 18 in Azerbaijan's Shusha city.

Hope was expressed that the decisions reached following the results of the meeting will contribute to the strengthening of the Azerbaijani-Uzbek mutually beneficial cooperation.

Both sides gave a positive assessment of trade and economic cooperation between the two countries, and expressed satisfaction with the significant growth in trade, which increased by almost 64 percent in 2022.

Besides, the parties pointed to the good dynamics of investment cooperation, noted the significance of the signing of constituent documents on July 18 in Azerbaijan's Shusha city in connection with the establishment of the Azerbaijan-Uzbek Investment Fund. Its establishment was assessed as an additional incentive to strengthen investment cooperation.

The Uzbek side was informed in detail about the favorable investment climate in Azerbaijan.

The sides positively assessed the prospects for cooperation in the transport and transit sector. Last year, the total volume of cargo transportation between the two countries increased by more than 65 percent. The importance of the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (Middle Corridor) was especially emphasized.

The parties also noted the positive development of industrial cooperation, and cooperation in the fields of cotton and sericulture.

Active cooperation in the energy sector was emphasized. Last year, a roadmap for cooperation in the energy sector was signed between Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan.

The prime ministers also pointed to the good opportunities that are opening up in the field of renewable energy sources, and also expressed satisfaction with the fruitful cooperation in the agricultural, cultural, humanitarian, educational, health and other fields.

Then the co-chairs of the Joint Intergovernmental Commission - Minister of Economy of Azerbaijan Mikayil Jabbarov and Minister of Investments, Industry and Trade of Uzbekistan Laziz Kudratov held talks.