"First of all, I would like to note that this will be my third participation at the Consultative Meeting of the Heads of State of Central Asia. The first meeting I was invited to, was held in Dushanbe in 2023, the second one in Astana in 2024, and the upcoming meeting is expected to be held in Tashkent. I stress my sincere thanks to all my colleagues, primarily to the President of Uzbekistan, my brother Shavkat Mirziyoyev, for the invitation and for supporting Azerbaijan's participation in this significant event," President Ilham Aliyev said in an interview with Uzbekistan’s UzA agency, APA reports.
According to the head of state, Azerbaijan and the countries of Central Asia represent an integrated historical, cultural, geographical and geopolitical space of growing strategic significance: "The Caspian Sea, which may, at first glance, appear to physically separate Azerbaijan from the countries of Central Asia, is actually a substantial factor in bringing these countries together. Today, the Caspian Sea is not a mere geographical notion as it is, above all, a symbol of the strategic unity, economic potential and historical cooperation of our peoples.
Our countries do not just share a common geography, but are also bound together by historical and cultural ties, common religious and spiritual values, traditions and customs."
President Ilham Aliyev noted that Azerbaijan attaches special importance to the comprehensive development of collaboration with all countries in the region at the highest level: "I believe that the strategic partnership and allied relations established between the countries of Central Asia and Azerbaijan on a bilateral basis, as well as our active political dialogue and reciprocal visits, play a key role in making this cooperation format successful.
The dynamic nature of such visits and contacts between heads of state over the past few years clearly demonstrates the high level of our relations. Thus, over the past three years, the heads of Central Asian states have made approximately 30 visits to Azerbaijan, whereas I have visited fraternal countries 13 times during the same period."
Azerbaijani leader emphasized that the growing importance of the Middle Corridor opens up important opportunities for the expansion of our cooperation: "I am confident that the 7th Consultative Meeting of the Heads of State of Central Asia will be a significant stage in fostering the centuries-old friendship between our fraternal peoples and expanding multi-level cooperation in the political, economic, transport, investment, energy, cultural and humanitarian spheres, and in the field of digital transformation."
Follow us on Telegram
t.me/apanewsaz
Follow us on Instagram
Follow us on TikTok
Follow us on Facebook
Follow us on X
