Aliyev: SOCAR has begun operating an oil field in Uzbekistan

Azerbaijani President İlham Aliyev continues his official contacts in the city of Turkmenbashi, Turkmenistan. As part of his visit, Aliyev met with Turkmenistan's National Leader and Chairman of the People's Council Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov and Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev at a trilateral summit. Stating that the three friendly and brotherly countries, which share common values in addition to cultural and historical proximity, are opening a new page in the history of their cooperation, Aliyev said, "Today, as I am on hospitable Turkmen soil, I would like to state once again that Turkmenistan, under the wise leadership of Mr. Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, has achieved significant success in socio-economic development and has strengthened its international role and reputation. His contribution to the development of modern Turkmenistan is an example of efficient state governance, strategic vision, and loyalty to the motherland."

"EXPERIENCING A PERIOD OF RISE"

Aliyev stated that he was pleased to host Berdimuhamedov, who visited Azerbaijan last month, and that the visit was extremely productive. "We held comprehensive talks in Baku and visited Azerbaijan's liberated territories together, especially the cities of Fuzuli and Shusha. I would like to express my special gratitude for the decision to build a mosque in the city of Fuzuli. This sincere fraternal support will remain forever in the memory of our people as a symbol of solidarity and spiritual unity. At the same time, the establishment of sister-city relations between Fuzuli and Arkadag opens new opportunities for cultural and humanitarian cooperation. All this shows that Azerbaijan-Turkmenistan relations are experiencing a period of rise. We will continue our joint efforts for the development of these relations in all areas," he said.

"WE HAVE INVESTMENT PROJECTS"

Referring to the Treaty on Allied Relations signed between Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan on August 23, 2024, Aliyev said, "Our fraternal relations with Uzbekistan are based on mutual support, strong cultural ties, and common strategic goals. We observe with great pleasure the dynamic development of the country, the rise of its international reputation, and the increase in its economic potential as a result of the new reforms implemented in all areas in Uzbekistan. In recent years, we have achieved significant results with Uzbekistan in many areas, especially in political dialogue, economic, and humanitarian cooperation. I express my deep gratitude to the Uzbek side and personally to Shavkat Mirziyoyev for the great contribution to the reconstruction of Azerbaijan's liberated territories. A secondary school named after the great scholar Mirzo Ulugbek was built in the city of Fuzuli, and we held its opening together with Shavkat Mirziyoyev. A large garment factory is operating in the city of Khankendi with the support and initiative of the Uzbek side. We visited it together recently. An Uzbekistan park is being established in White City, the modern center of Baku. Together with Shavkat Mirziyoyev, we laid the foundation of this beautiful park, which covers 5 hectares. We have many other investment projects based on common interests."

"IT WILL CARRY SIGNIFICANT VALUE"

The Azerbaijani leader stated that Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan have an important geostrategic position connecting east to west and north to south, adding, "There are new opportunities for our countries in the field of transport. Among these, we discussed the Middle Corridor, the expansion of ports, and railway issues extensively today with my dear brother Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov. We had also addressed these issues in our last meeting with Shavkat Mirziyoyev. In other words, the three countries making joint efforts in the fields of transport, transit, and logistics will carry significant value not only for our countries but also for the wider region."

Stating that there are good opportunities for cooperation in the energy sector with Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan, Aliyev said, "We have traditional energy cooperation with Turkmenistan. We have also taken a step into this field with Uzbekistan. Our state oil company, SOCAR, has already begun operating an oil field in Uzbekistan, and a contract has been signed. We hope that they will give us good news within the next 1-2 years. We are all eagerly awaiting the news of the discovery of a large oil field in Uzbekistan."