Tashkent: Azerbaijan is playing a strategic role as a bridge connecting Central Asia and Europe, Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev said during his address at the high-level meeting “Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan, and Europe-Cooperation for Common Development.”

According to Trend News Agency, the Uzbek President’s office reported that President Mirziyoyev emphasized the significance of the meeting’s focus on the interconnectivity of Central Asia and the South Caucasus, along with the prospects for partnership between these two regions and Europe. He described it as a unique opportunity to showcase Central Asia to the world, highlighting the increasing processes of consolidation and cooperation, and emphasizing the need to exchange ideas on strengthening interregional links. The President also stressed the importance of fully leveraging the potential of Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan.

President Mirziyoyev noted that Uzbek-Azerbaijani bilateral relations have seen substantial enhancement in recent years, which is supported by a foundation of reciprocal trust and strategic support. In this context, a formal Accord on Collaborative Engagement has been executed, and the Apex Intergovernmental Assembly is currently operational.