Baku, September 23, AZERTAC

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev received Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Uzbekistan Jamshid Khodjayev on September 23.

Expressing his gratitude for the reception, Jamshid Khodjayev conveyed the warm greetings and best wishes of President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev to the Azerbaijani head of state. President Ilham Aliyev thanked him for the greetings and asked him to pass on his own greetings to President Shavkat Mirziyoyev.

Jamshid Khodjayev highlighted Uzbekistan's appreciation for Azerbaijan's great achievements thanks to President Ilham Aliyev’s forward-looking policy and extended congratulations on September 20, Azerbaijan’s State Sovereignty Day.

The Deputy Prime Minister emphasized that Azerbaijan holds a worthy place among key states for Uzbekistan, and that Azerbaijan enjoys great influence both regionally and globally. He noted that Uzbekistan is keeping a close eye on the ongoing extensive reconstruction and restoration works in Azerbaijan’s territories liberated thanks to the wise decisions of President Ilham Aliyev, including the historical cities of Shusha and Khankendi.

Jamshid Khodjayev also noted that his visit, accompanied by business people, is aimed at fulfilling the directives of the Presidents of Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan.

President Ilham Aliyev expressed his satisfaction in recalling his state visit to Uzbekistan and, prior to that, the visit of Uzbekistan’s President to Azerbaijan. Referring to the meeting held with business people of the two countries during his state visit to Uzbekistan, the Azerbaijani President stressed the importance of actively working on investment projects. In this regard, President Ilham Aliyev noted that the joint investment fund established between the two countries has been already utilized for concrete projects.

The Azerbaijani President expressed his anticipation of future meetings with his dear brother Shavkat Mirziyoyev, emphasizing the significance of such meetings for solving the issues on the agenda of cooperation.

President Ilham Aliyev also expressed confidence that the visit of Uzbekistan’s Deputy Prime Minister would contribute to the further expansion of cooperation between the two countries.

The meeting also included discussions on the future prospects of bilateral relations.