Azernews.Az

TASHKENT – President Islam Karimov said Monday that Uzbekistan considers Azerbaijan a key partner in the region that is gaining an important geo-strategic role for the Central Asian state.

"Uzbekistan highly appreciates and sincerely sympathizes with the achievements of Azerbaijan, a close country, which owes much for its success to the pragmatic policy of its revered leader, Ilham Aliyev, and is confidently advancing along the path of strengthening its independence, developing its economic potential and increasing international clout," President Karimov told a news briefing in Tashkent.

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev started a two-day official visit to Uzbekistan on Monday. The two countries have signed a number of inter-governmental agreements, including a joint statement inked by the two countries’ leaders.

Karimov praised the outcome of talks with President Aliyev, which he said proceeded "in an open and constructive atmosphere that is traditionally inherent to Uzbek-Azerbaijani relations".

He said the two presidents had comprehensively discussed a wide range of bilateral issues and exchanged views on pressing regional issues.

President Aliyev, for his part, said Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan intend to decisively develop their relations in all areas.

"Today we discussed in detail specific transport projects and economic cooperation. We are looking to implement everything we outlined."

Aliyev said more regular and frequent contacts between the ministries and government agencies of the two countries were important for boosting bilateral cooperation.

The Uzbek leader noted that Azerbaijan is ensuring sustainable growth and large-scale construction operations, amid the world economic crisis and the unresolved conflict with Armenia over Nagorno Karabakh.

The two countries’ governments signed eight agreements during President Aliyev’s visit to Uzbekistan. Also, the two leaders put pen to a joint statement.

The signed documents include an agreement on economic cooperation covering the period 2011-2015.

The Azerbaijani and Uzbek foreign ministries signed a protocol on amending the agreement on extending visa-free travel of the two countries’ citizens until 2012. The two ministries also signed a program of collaboration for 2010-2012.

Also signed was a document on interaction between the Azerbaijani and Uzbek interior ministries.

The prosecutor-general’s offices of the two countries signed an agreement on cooperation and legal counsel.

Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan also agreed to recognize certificates of each other’s aviation personnel.

The papers signed by the two countries also include agreements between their state-run TV and radio broadcasters and between their arts institutions.