AZE.US
President Ilham Aliyev said Azerbaijan’s full participation in the Central Asian leaders’ consultative format has effectively transformed the grouping from C5 into C6, giving regional dialogue and strategic cooperation a broader scope.
Aliyev made the remarks in an interview with the Uzbekistan National News Agency, UzA, ahead of his state visit to Uzbekistan. He also discussed bilateral trade, investment, transit corridors and the future of the Organization of Turkic States.
AZE.US highlights the key excerpts.
On the Alliance With Uzbekistan
“Relations between the two brotherly countries – Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan – are based on a shared history, culture, language and spiritual values, as well as the unity, solidarity and deep mutual affection that our peoples have preserved for centuries and passed down from generation to generation.
“Interstate relations built on this strong foundation have entered an unprecedented stage of development in recent years, rising to the highest level – that of an alliance – and acquiring entirely new substance.”
Aliyev said the two countries had held 15 reciprocal visits at the highest level over the past five years.
“This will be my third state visit and seventh visit overall to the brotherly country in the past five years,” he said.
Bilateral Trade More Than Tripled
“Our economic and trade cooperation has demonstrated rapid growth in recent years. Trade between Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan increased more than threefold in 2025 compared with the previous year, reaching $795 million. This is an excellent result.
“In January-May 2026, trade increased by another 33% year over year to $144 million.”
Aliyev also noted that the Azerbaijan-Uzbekistan Investment Company was established three years ago with total capital of $500 million to finance projects in both countries.
Transit Shipments Continue to Grow
“In 2025, the volume of transit shipments between the two countries increased by 6.7% to 1.4 million tons. Growth of 12.2% was also recorded in January-June of this year, bringing the figure to 675,000 tons.”
Aliyev pointed to cooperation in the production of Chevrolet vehicles and Isuzu buses. As of July 13, 2026, a total of 10,720 Chevrolet vehicles and 275 Isuzu buses had been manufactured under the joint projects.
More than 130 companies with Uzbek investment are currently registered in Azerbaijan and operate in sectors including industry, agriculture, construction, transportation and services.
Linking TRIPP to the Middle Corridor
“Our cooperation, particularly in transportation and logistics, offers significant prospects. Azerbaijan’s position in the South Caucasus and Uzbekistan’s position in Central Asia make our countries natural partners along strategic routes connecting East and West.
“The integration of the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway with the Middle Corridor and TRIPP will create new economic and transit opportunities for the entire region.”
Building the Turkic World’s Political, Economic and Military Strength
Speaking about the Organization of Turkic States, Aliyev said the group should develop into an influential global center of power.
“At the 12th Summit of the Council of Heads of State of the Organization of Turkic States, held in Gabala last year, the main issues of cooperation within the organization were discussed.
“Declarations were signed with the aim of strengthening the OTS, ensuring closer unity within the Turkic world, increasing its political, economic and military strength, and transforming it into a center of influence and power on the global stage.”
Aliyev said Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan view the OTS not only as a platform for interstate cooperation but also as a union capable of carrying their common history, culture and spiritual values into the future.
“C5 Has Effectively Become C6”
Aliyev recalled that the Seventh Consultative Meeting of the Heads of State of Central Asia, held in Tashkent in November 2025, approved Azerbaijan’s full participation in the format.
“As a result of Azerbaijan’s active involvement in this process, the cooperation format previously known as C5 has effectively become C6, while regional dialogue and strategic partnership have acquired new substance and scale.
“Azerbaijan’s full participation in this format demonstrates the strategic importance our country attaches to its relations with Central Asia.”
Aliyev said the emerging partnership between Azerbaijan and the Central Asian states was based on mutual respect, trust and shared interests, and would also contribute to peace, stability and sustainable development across Eurasia.
AZE.US