On July 2, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev of Uzbekistan arrived in Azerbaijan for a state visit. He was welcomed by President Ilham Aliyev in an official ceremony before the two leaders held extensive talks covering strategic cooperation, investment, transport, the reconstruction of Karabakh, and regional affairs.

Upon his arrival at Heydar Aliyev International Airport, Mirziyoyev was greeted by First Deputy Prime Minister Yagub Eyyubov, Deputy Foreign Minister Samir Sharifov, and other Azerbaijani officials. Later that day, an official welcome ceremony was held in a square decorated with the flags of both countries, followed by their national anthems and a guard of honor march before the two presidents commenced a one-on-one meeting.

Press Statements

Speaking during a joint press conference, President Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan highlighted the allied and strategic nature of Azerbaijani-Uzbek relations, recalling that the Treaty on Allied Relations signed last year in Tashkent formalized their partnership. Aliyev praised Uzbekistan’s rapid reforms and growing international stature, attributing these successes to President Mirziyoyev’s leadership and policies.

President Aliyev emphasized that Azerbaijan prioritizes investing in Uzbekistan, noting that recent reforms have created an attractive investment climate. He reported that over 10 projects were nearing final investment decisions under a $500 million joint investment fund and expressed confidence that mutual investments would soon surpass this figure, with projects already underway in energy, hospitality, construction, and agriculture.

On transport and logistics, both presidents agreed to strengthen cooperation in developing diversified infrastructure linking Central Asia to the West via the Caspian Sea and Azerbaijan, including through the Middle Corridor. They resolved to coordinate projects bilaterally and multilaterally with neighboring countries and announced that a shift to electronic cargo permits would begin in March 2025.

Aliyev expressed special gratitude to Uzbekistan for its aid in rebuilding Karabakh, noting that Uzbekistan was the first country to initiate a social infrastructure project in the region. He recalled inaugurating a school named after Mirzo Ulugbek with President Mirziyoyev, which is now serving children who have returned to their ancestral lands.

President Shavkat Mirziyoyev of Uzbekistan noted that relations between the two countries have never been as strong as they are today, emphasizing that his visit marked the 30th anniversary of diplomatic ties. He reported that bilateral trade had increased by 25% and that around 300 joint ventures operate in both countries. The leaders set a goal to raise their annual trade turnover and investments to $1 billion, backed by a growing joint project portfolio now valued at $4 billion.

Both leaders endorsed new cooperation formats, including an Entrepreneurs Council and an Industrial Zones Forum, and supported the expansion of the joint investment company. They also discussed exporting Uzbek electricity to Europe and agreed to hold cultural events marking the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations.

The leaders concluded by agreeing to adopt a comprehensive roadmap to ensure the timely and effective implementation of all decisions and signed agreements, while also exchanging views on regional and international issues.

Bilateral Documents

A document exchange ceremony was held in the presence of both heads of state. The signed and exchanged agreements included protocols and roadmaps covering agriculture, digital transport, shipping, shipbuilding, industrial cooperation, achieving a trade turnover target of $1 billion by 2030, higher education, social protection, customs cooperation, environmental protection, data exchange on mobile device crimes, and a 2025–2029 roadmap for implementing the allied treaty signed in 2022.

Additionally, sister city agreements were signed between Sumgayit and Tashkent Province, and between Gabala and Navoi. Further cooperation protocols addressed inclusive education and social services for children with special needs and vulnerable groups.

New Embassy, Uzbekistan Park in Baku and Sea Breeze Tour

On July 2, President Ilham Aliyev and President Shavkat Mirziyoyev inaugurated Uzbekistan’s new embassy building in Baku and participated in a document exchange ceremony formalizing a broad array of bilateral agreements.

During the embassy inauguration, the two presidents cut a symbolic ribbon and toured the new, modern embassy complex, which is intended to further strengthen the allied relationship between Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan. Following the tour, both leaders signed the embassy’s guest book. Later that day, they visited the Sea Breeze resort on the Caspian coast, where founder Emin Agalarov briefed them on the project’s expansion plans, including a crescent-shaped artificial peninsula and a planned $10 billion investment over the next five years.

Further Developments

In a related development, Davron Vakhabov, Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Uzbekistan, expressed interest in using Karabakh’s fertile agricultural lands for joint agro-industrial projects with Azerbaijan, emphasizing reduced logistics costs and a balanced trade turnover. Vakhabov proposed parity-based ventures involving experienced Uzbek farmers and guaranteed product procurement by Uzbekistan.

Akhror Burkhanov, Spokesperson and Advisor to the Uzbek Foreign Minister, noted Tashkent’s commitment to intensifying business ties and advancing strategic cooperation with Azerbaijan. He highlighted the importance of trilateral collaboration with Türkiye through the Azerbaijan-Türkiye-Uzbekistan platform, which offers opportunities for joint infrastructure, energy, logistics, and industrial initiatives. Burkhanov reaffirmed Uzbekistan’s engagement within the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) and the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) to enhance regional integration and cultural cooperation.

Construction Begins On $80 Million Uzbekistan Cultural and Entertainment Complex in Baku

On June 3, Uzbek entrepreneur Jahongir Artikhodjayev announced that construction had officially begun on the Uzbekistan Cultural and Entertainment Complex in Baku, a project valued at $80 million.

Artikhodjayev stated that the large-scale project is being developed on a 4.5-hectare site in Baku’s White City district, with projections of around 800,000 annual visitors upon completion. He noted that the project officially commenced on February 10, 2025, and the construction period is expected to last two years following the receipt of all necessary permits. According to Artikhodjayev, demolition, earthworks, and the installation of communications infrastructure have already been completed, including 11 kilometers of pipeline, 15 kilometers of electrical cable, 8 electrical panels, 5 pumps, and 4 reservoirs.

Jahongir Artikhodjayev emphasized that the project will feature architectural elements reflecting the styles of Samarkand, Bukhara, and Khiva, along with workshops, national cuisine restaurants, a beach area, an oceanarium, a shopping and entertainment center, a wax figure museum, a shopping avenue, and a distinctive flying theater. Uzbek architects designed the overall concept, while the Australian firm Sanderson Group, known for its international theme park projects, was tasked with the internal infrastructure design. Azerbaijani architectural bureaus have been engaged to adapt the concept to the Baku environment.

Highlighting the project's cultural significance, Artikhodjayev stated that Uzbekistan’s traditions, customs, and cuisine would be showcased throughout the complex, with dedicated spaces for selling national foods and clothing. He added that President Shavkat Mirziyoyev had personally instructed that the park should serve as "a true mirror of Uzbekistan in Azerbaijan."