Expert: Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan have significant resources

Both Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan are countries with significant resources, according to Guray Alpar, head of the Ankara Institute of Political Thought, retired major general and associate professor.

Speaking to Report's Turkish bureau in Tashkent, Alpar commented on the signing of the Treaty on Allied Relations between Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan, also referred to as the Eternal Friendship Agreement.

He described the decision by Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev to strengthen strategic partnership and regional cooperation as an important step in this direction.

According to Alpar, Azerbaijan has recently been implementing large-scale, forward-looking projects that have significantly strengthened its position.

"After achieving a major victory by liberating its lands that had been under occupation for a long time, Azerbaijan is carrying out enormous work to restore these territories from a state of destruction and devastation. Azerbaijan truly plays the role of a strategic bridge in the Turkestan region and, because of this position, makes a very significant contribution to ensuring regional security," he said.

The general described President Aliyev's emphasis on the importance of regional cooperation at the meeting of the High-Level Intergovernmental Council in Tashkent, as well as President Mirziyoyev's characterization of Azerbaijan as a reliable ally, strategic partner and brotherly state, as important messages for expanding bilateral relations.

Alpar said that shared historical roots, centuries-old friendship, common spiritual values, similar cultures and traditions further strengthen relations between the two countries.

"Overall, both Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan are countries with very significant resources. Deepening mutual cooperation considerably expands opportunities to make use of these resources," he said.