As the geopolitical and economic landscapes of Eurasia continue to shift, the ties between Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan stand out as a compelling model of brotherly cooperation, grounded in shared heritage and driven by strategic vision. These relations, historic in depth and forward-looking in intent, reflect not only a strong bilateral alignment but also a broader convergence of regional interests, from energy to logistics, and from diplomacy to digitalisation.

The cultural links between Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan run deep. Although formal diplomatic relations were only established in 1995, the fraternal bond between the two peoples predates modern statehood. From the inspiration that the Uzbek poet Alisher Navoi drew from Nizami Ganjavi’s "Khamsa", to the Bukhara caravanserai built in Baku’s Old City in the 15th century, the mutual cultural reverence has long been evident. The burial site of Azerbaijani philosopher Yusif ibn Muhammadjan Qarabagi in Samarkand symbolises centuries of scholarly exchange between the two nations.

During the Soviet period, these ties were further deepened. Tens of thousands of Azerbaijanis found refuge in Uzbekistan during the 1930s political repressions, and Azerbaijani workers played a vital role in rebuilding Tashkent after the devastating 1966 earthquake. Today, nearly 70,000 Azerbaijanis live in Uzbekistan, actively participating in its social and economic life, a testament to enduring people-to-people connectivity.

Moreover, the foundation of modern bilateral relations was laid by national leaders with visionary outlooks. The friendship between Heydar Aliyev and Islam Karimov, the founding fathers of the modern Azerbaijani and Uzbek states, set the tone for strategic engagement. National Leader Heydar Aliyev’s official visit to Uzbekistan in June 1997 marked a turning........

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