An honor guard lined up in honor of the President of Azerbaijan on the square decorated with the flags of the two countries.

President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev warmly welcomed the high-ranking guest and invited him to the podium. The national anthems of Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan were played.

The leaders passed in front of the honor guard and welcomed the members of the official delegations.

After taking a joint photo, the narrow circle of talks between the heads of state began.

The President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev and the President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev held a meeting and the first session of the Interstate Supreme Council in Kuksaroy residence.

Issues of further deepening and expansion of strategic partnership and multilateral cooperation between Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan were discussed.

The head of our state emphasized that the recent state visit of the President of Azerbaijan is a historic event.

- Today we will sign the Treaty on Union Relations. For several years, we have managed to raise Uzbekistan-Azerbaijan relations to the highest level of interstate cooperation, - said Shavkat Mirziyoyev.

It was also noted with pleasure that the first session of the Interstate Supreme Council, which should become an effective mechanism for promoting multifaceted cooperation and enriching it with concrete content, is being held.

The leaders noted that bilateral relations are rapidly developing. Close links have been established between parliaments, governments, sectoral agencies and regions. Meetings of the Intergovernmental Commission and the Business Council, forums and exhibitions, many cultural events are held regularly. Cooperation between business circles is expanding.

As part of the visit, the presidents will meet with representatives of the leading companies of the two countries, and new cooperation projects will be launched.

As noted, the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan will be celebrated next year.

In order to widely celebrate this auspicious date, the head of our state proposed to prepare a program of events and a plan of inter-departmental dialogue and exchanges for a year.

In addition, it was agreed to declare the next year as the year of economic cooperation between Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan and to adopt a comprehensive program covering 20 priority directions.

Tasks for increasing the volume of trade and moving to a new stage of industrial cooperation, including the implementation of projects in third countries, were set.

The results of yesterday's business forum were noted with satisfaction: a portfolio of promising projects with a total value of more than 2 billion dollars was formed. These are cooperation projects in energy, chemistry, mining, textile, agriculture, urban planning and other areas.

In this sense, it was noted that the Uzbekistan-Azerbaijan investment company is working effectively as a means of supporting such projects.

It was noted the need to strengthen the interdependence between the two countries through the implementation of transport-communication, energy and other infrastructural projects, including on a multilateral basis.

The parties agreed to increase the number of flights, to ease the procedures for surface and air transport as much as possible, and to introduce digital solutions.

The importance of activating interregional relations was noted. It was agreed to adopt a separate inter-regional cooperation plan for 2025, a partnership program for the development of the industrial potential and infrastructure of the regions of the two countries, and to hold the next regional forum in the city of Kokand.

The heads of state reached an agreement on the continuation of active exchanges in the fields of culture and art, education, healthcare, youth and information policy, and sports.

It was noted with pleasure that the famous cultural figures Farrukh Zokirov and Pulat Bulbul ugli were awarded the title of “People’s Artists” of our countries by the presidential decrees.

The head of our state proposed to establish a mechanism of regular meetings of rectors of leading universities of the two countries, to hold a joint media forum.

Prospects of building tourism and business complexes in our capitals were also discussed in order to increase the flow of tourists, humanitarian and business exchanges.

It was emphasized the importance of information-analytical support of bilateral relations, in-depth analysis of cooperation potential and implementation of joint projects.

The heads of state also exchanged views on the international and regional agenda, discussed issues of continuing active dialogue and mutual support within the framework of multilateral structures.

Following the meeting, it was decided to adopt a “roadmap” for the timely and high-quality implementation of the agreements reached.