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Rena Murshud

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The relations between Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan, the two ancient Turkic-speaking countries, are based on common national values, religion, culture, and a long historical background. The friendship between these two countries, which have been maintaining diplomatic relations for almost 30 years, was also observed after the Second Garabagh War. Because Uzbekistan was one of the first countries that helped to restore the Azerbaijani lands liberated from occupation. So, with the support of Uzbekistan, a school will be built in Fuzuli, where 940 children will study.

There are also many different projects connecting Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan. The opening of the Zangazur corridor is on the agenda. The opening of this corridor will allow Azerbaijan-Uzbekistan, along with many countries, to jointly sign various diverse projects in the future.

“The most important connection between the two countries is the transportation of Uzbek products to Europe through Azerbaijan. This also applies to the issue of the Middle Corridor."

This was told by Middle East economist Kanan Guluzade in a comment for Azernews.

According to him, Uzbek companies are currently developing logistics infrastructure in their country. Recently, a multimodal terminal project was founded in the Andijan region. This project consists of multidisciplinary activities. There are also black road trucks and a train station. The presence of such a project in Uzbekistan means that the country is paying attention to the development of its logistics sector.

Kanan Guluzade also stressed that today, Uzbek companies are Azerbaijan's logistics partners, including import and export.

“In this case, the issue of the Zangazur corridor becomes relevant in the development of the Middle corridor. The opening of the Zangazur corridor will shortly be a top priority in Azerbaijan. It is planned to build a logistics terminal on the territory of Turkiye's Ighdir province, passing through the border crossing over Nakhchivan through the West Zangazur region, which is now Armenian territory, but historically considered Azerbaijani lands," the expert added.

Calling Azerbaijan Uzbekistan's door to Europe, the expert noted that Uzbekistan supplies its goods to Europe under the China-Uzbekistan-Turkmenistan/Kazakhstan-Azerbaijan project. In the near future, in a very short period of time, there may be a prospect of building a logistics park through investment or a soft loan from Uzbek companies. Because the sphere of logistics lies at the heart of relations between the two countries. It follows from this question that Uzbek companies will increase their investments in this area in Garabagh. As for the Zangazur corridor, today Azerbaijan is economically fully prepared for it.

"Azerbaijan is increasing the capacity of the Alat port, and at the same time, supporting the development of the Middle Corridor has begun the construction of two new ports on the shores of the Caspian Sea. The transportation of goods to Europe along the Trans-Caspian corridor is a common interest of the countries of the region. This common interest unites them. The opening of the Zangazur corridor is a kind of embodiment of this interest. Not only Azerbaijan is interested in opening this corridor, but also other countries located on this corridor - Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Turkiye," K.Guluzade emphasized.

Later the expert talking about the direct interest of Turkiye in this issue, explained the reason: “Because Ighdir, Kars, Aghri, which are the eastern region of Turkiye, are considered to be industrially not very developed regions. The development of any service sector here is also in the interests of Turkiye. Logistics in Turkiye is at a very high level. Goods transported to and from all Black Sea ports pass through the Sea of Marmara, the Bosphorus, and the Canakkale Bogazı (Dardanelles). Turkiye already has its dividends from cargo passing through these straits. In this case, the interest shown in the opening of the Zangazur corridor, and the pressure exerted on the political circles of Armenia, will soon lead to the opening of this corridor. One of the most advanced goals of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev is the opening of the Zangazur corridor," the expert commented.

Then the expert spoke about the constantly developing Azerbaijani-Uzbek relations.

“Azerbaijani-Uzbek relations are constantly developing. Today Uzbekistan is one of the dynamically developing countries of Central Asia. The main resource of Uzbekistan is human resources. Approximately 37-38 million people live in Uzbekistan. This is the source of the country's only natural deposits, natural resources, and the development of service areas. Because the country has a human and demographic factors. The fact that the population is prolific in any field means the development of the service sector of Uzbekistan, especially logistics. On the other hand, the supplies of Uzbekistan, especially the presence of iron and copper deposits in Uzbekistan, create excellent conditions for the import of copper from Azerbaijan. At one time, the cotton industry also developed between these two countries. The training of Azerbaijanis in cotton growing methods by Uzbek specialists who came to Azerbaijan led to the development of the textile industry between the two countries. Azerbaijan considers Uzbekistan as a political and economic partner. Great development between the companies of the two countries is observed in the food and chemical industries. Because the trade turnover is constantly increasing and it is planned to reach 1 billion US dollars in the near future," the economist emphasized.

In conclusion, the economist emphasized the economic leap that took place in the country after the coming to power of the head of state of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev, is an indication of common interests with Azerbaijan in foreign policy, as well as the fact that these two countries are very closely connected.

“Not only politically and economically, but also the fact that both states are Turkic-speaking, are under the same religious umbrella, and the similarity of mental values further connects these two countries. In general, Uzbekistan is one of the closest political and economic partners of Azerbaijan in Central Asia. I think that the signing of new documents in the economic spheres, which I have listed, is expected within the framework of the visit of Shavkat Mirziyoyev with a very large delegation. Documents to be signed in the amount of 1 billion, calculated in this trade cycle, will partially find their solution," Kanan Guluzade concluded.

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Rena Murshud is AzerNews’ staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @RenaTagiyeva

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