Jeyhun Bayramov, Azerbaijan’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, met with his Uzbek counterpart Bakhtiyor Saidov on Wednesday, on the sidelines of the 2nd trilateral meeting of Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Ministers of Economy/Trade and Ministers of Transport of Azerbaijan, Türkiye and Uzbekistan.

During the meeting, the discussions centered on the issues arising from the Azerbaijan-Uzbekistan alliance, prospects for furthering bilateral and multilateral cooperation between the two countries, as well as the current situation in the region in the post-conflict period.

Noting that last year was a milestone in terms of signing the Treaty on Allied Relations between Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan, the ministers expressed their hope that the year 2025, marking the 30th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries, would see events contributing to political, economic, trade, energy, transport, communications, cultural and humanitarian aspects of this alliance.

The diplomats emphasized the importance of existing high-level dialogue between the two countries’ leaders, the Azerbaijan-Uzbekistan High Intergovernmental Council, the intergovernmental commission and the mechanism for political consultations in developing the Azerbaijan-Uzbekistan alliance based on brotherhood and friendship.

The FMs stressed the significance of bolstering cooperation and mutual support within regional and international organizations, including the United Nations Organization (UN), the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), the Organization of Turkic States (OTS), the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO), the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA), as well as other multilateral formats.

The officials described the “Agreement between the governments of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Republic of Kazakhstan and Republic of Uzbekistan on Strategic Partnership in the Development and Transmission of Green Energy” signed during the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP29) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change last year, as one of the crucial steps towards developing energy, transport and communications in the region.

Minister Jeyhun Bayramov briefed the Uzbek FM about the ongoing restoration and demining processes in the region during the post-conflict period, as well as Azerbaijan’s peace efforts. He also highlighted the obstacles hindering the advancement of the Azerbaijan-Armenia peace process, including the ongoing territorial claims against Azerbaijan in the Armenian Constitution, and Armenia’s rapid armament.

The meeting also saw discussions on other issues of mutual concern.

The ministers also approved the “Comprehensive Program of events to mark the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Republic of Uzbekistan”.