Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- On 15 May 2023, the International Institute of Central Asia hosted an international scientific and practical conference on the theme: "The role of Heydar Aliyev in the development of cooperation between Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan", dedicated to the 100th anniversary of Heydar Aliyev.

The conference was organized by the International Institute of Central Asia, the Institute for Strategic and Interregional Studies, Azerbaijan Cultural Center. Heydar Aliyev at the Embassy of the Republic of Azerbaijan in the Republic of Uzbekistan.

The conference was attended by representatives of parliaments, diplomatic structures and the scientific community of the two countries, the Uzbekistan-Azerbaijan and Azerbaijan-Uzbekistan Friendship Societies, the Union of Writers, faculty and students of leading universities of Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan.

During the conference, various aspects of Uzbek-Azerbaijani relations were considered, including the activities of Heydar Aliyev and Sharaf Rashidov to bring closer cultural and economic interaction between peoples during the years of Soviet reality, as well as the contribution of the Presidents of Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Ilham Aliyev, to the development of a constructive dialogue between two countries during the years of independent development.

Opening the event, MICA Director Vladimir Norov noted that Heydar Aliyev played an important role in establishing and strengthening friendly relations between Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan. The bonds of brotherhood were laid by G. A. Aliyev and Sh. R. Rashidov back in the era of Soviet reality, thanks to which the Uzbek-Azerbaijani relations rose to a qualitatively new level, and were reflected in the organization of various bilateral cultural, socio-economic and political events within a single country.

As the director of MICA emphasized, the leadership qualities and political experience of Heydar Aliyev were key factors in ensuring the stability and prosperity of Independent Azerbaijan. The national leader of the Azerbaijani people, with his return to the post of head of the Republic of Azerbaijan in 1993, saved his people and country.

In this context, the ties of fraternity also developed fruitfully during the years of Independence, when friendly ties were established first with the National Leader of the Azerbaijani people, G. A. Aliyev, and then with the current President of Azerbaijan, I. G. Aliyev. The fruit of these relationships was a solid legal framework, which includes such significant agreements as: the Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation between the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Republic of Azerbaijan, the Declaration on the Further Development of Comprehensive Cooperation and Partnership Relations between the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Republic of Azerbaijan, the Joint Declaration of the President Republic of Uzbekistan and the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Joint statement of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, etc.

The relationship between the current Heads of the two fraternal states - Sh. M. Mirziyoyev and I. G. Aliyev, raised the Uzbek-Azerbaijani relations to a qualitatively new level, created a platform for truly constructive relations, covering a wide range and all the versatility of bilateral relations.

At the same time, the event assessed the development of Uzbek-Azerbaijani relations over the years of independent development of countries, modern challenges and problems faced by the two countries, as well as presentations and discussions of new ideas and projects that contribute to strengthening cooperation between Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan.

Thus, today’s conference is significant from the point of view of the historical perspective and the role of the personality of Heydar Aliyev in the history of Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan.

In general, this Forum is an important platform for discussing topical issues and prospects for the development of relations between the two countries.