Baku: 'The Treaty on Eternal Friendship signed during the Azerbaijani President's official visit to Tashkent is a historic, strategic, and momentous document that elevates Uzbekistan-Azerbaijan relations to a qualitatively new level,' Ranokhon Tursunova, Professor at the Department of Political Science at the University of World Economy and Diplomacy in Tashkent and Doctor of Historical Sciences, said in a statement to APA.
According to Azeri-Press News Agency, Tursunova emphasized that the document legally consolidates the bonds of brotherhood, spiritual affinity, and mutual respect between the peoples of Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan, based on common historical, cultural, and religious roots. She highlighted that the Treaty serves as a foundation for long-term stability and ensures that the strategic partnership does not depend on political circumstances or changes in the international environment.
The expert pointed out that the document creates a reliable legal framework for expanding economic cooperation. 'New opportunities are opening up for increasing trade turnover, implementing joint investment projects, industrial cooperation, energy partnership, agriculture, textiles, the automotive industry, chemicals, IT, and other sectors. The Treaty could serve as an important catalyst for transforming political brotherhood into concrete business projects, jobs, and increased prosperity,' Tursunova stated.
She further noted that provisions on mutual support for sovereignty, security, and territorial integrity are among the strategic pillars of the Treaty. 'The inviolability of borders, non-interference in internal affairs, and preventing the territory of one party from being used against the stability of the other demonstrate a high level of mutual trust. This approach contributes to the formation of a more sustainable security environment between Central Asia and the South Caucasus,' she added.
The significance of the Treaty extends beyond bilateral relations. It contributes to the formation of a new geopolitical and geoeconomic bridge between Central Asia and the South Caucasus. The development of the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route and the Middle Corridor, coordination of logistics infrastructure, optimization of transit tariffs, and expansion of port and railway capacities are among the key areas of this cooperation. Azerbaijan is an important partner for Uzbekistan in terms of access to Europe and the Middle East via the Caspian and Black seas.
Ranokhon Tursunova also emphasized that the document contributes to the consolidation of the Turkic world. 'The deepening of the strategic partnership between Baku and Tashkent strengthens integration processes within the Organization of Turkic States and creates additional opportunities for other Central Asian countries to join joint projects with Azerbaijan,' she remarked.
Humanitarian cooperation is also an integral part of this strategic partnership. Cooperation in education, culture, and tourism, student and academic exchanges, joint cultural projects, common tourism routes, and interregional ties strengthen trust between the peoples and ensure the long-term sustainability of relations.
All this demonstrates that the Treaty on Eternal Friendship is not merely another bilateral document. It is a historic act that forms the long-term strategic foundation of Azerbaijan-Uzbekistan relations and brings political, economic, transport, security, and humanitarian cooperation together within a single framework.