Uzbekistan-Azerbaijan: historical and eternal cooperation
Science, values, language and literature, art and culture of the peoples of Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan have formed and developed harmoniously. As much as the works of Nizami Ganjavi and Muhammad Fuzuli are studied with love in Uzbekistan, the attitude towards Alisher Navoi’s genius has risen to the level of national pride in Azerbaijan.
The establishment of the Heydar Aliyev Azerbaijani Cultural Center in Tashkent, the construction of a school named after Mirza Ulughbek in Fuzuli, Azerbaijan, the Decree of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan on awarding a group of citizens of the Republic of Azerbaijan, and the Decree of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan on awarding a group of citizens of the Republic of Uzbekistan, the fact that more than 70 high-level meetings have been held in the last 7 years is evidence of the strengthening of friendship.
During the state visit of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev to Uzbekistan on August 22-23, 2024, due to the political will of both Presidents, the relations between our countries increased from a strategic partnership to an alliance level. This historical document initiated a new stage in the development of not only economic-social, but also cultural-humanitarian relations. In particular, on September 13 of this year, in the ancient city of Ganja, the Nizami Institute of Literature of the National Academy of Sciences of Azerbaijan and its Ganja branch, the Ganja mayor’s office and the Tashkent State University of the Uzbek Language and Literature named after Alisher Navoi organized an international scientific and practical conference on the topic “Azerbaijan-Uzbekistan model of the Turkic world”.
Academician Teymur Karimli, Director of the Institute of Manuscripts named after Muhammad Fuzuli of the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences, and Academician Fuad Aliyev, Head of the Ganja Department of the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences, spoke at this prestigious conference and they noted that this conference will serve to develop a new model of relations between Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan, which has a special position in the Turkic world.
Rector of the Tashkent State University of Uzbek Language and Literature named after Alisher Navoi, academician Shuhrat Sirodjiddinov compared the roots of the Uzbek and Azar peoples with united maples at a lecture, as well as the reunification of peoples who have been friends and brothers since time immemorial in today's dangerous times. He emphasized that it is extremely important to move forward hand in hand common goals. He noted that an urgent task in the future is to correctly inform about the reforms implemented for the prosperous life of the Uzbek and Azar peoples.
Samira Kasimova, Doctor of Philosophy in History, who gave a speech on the topic “The importance of Azerbaijan-Uzbekistan relations in the Turkic world” at the scientific-practical conference, called Uzbekistan a reliable ally that constantly supports the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan.
Nargiz Rasulova, Doctor of Philosophy in History, gave a lecture on “Prospects of Azerbaijan-Uzbekistan cooperation”. In his report, she noted that the approval of the “Program of events to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between our countries in 2025” and the “Plan of inter-agency dialogue and exchanges” will increase the level of cooperation at a high pace.
Students admitted to higher education institutions of Azerbaijan also took part in the conference. They were given special directions about the fact that the Uzbek and Azar peoples have been helping each other since ancient times, and the need for future generations to further strengthen today's successful cooperation. They were assigned the task of conveying the historical significance of this conference to their peers at the university where they study.
Within the framework of the conference, the Uzbek language and culture center named after Alisher Navoi was opened in the Ganja department of the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences. This center is not only a center of modern scientific-pedagogical activity, but also decorated with miniatures that visually reflect the rich literary heritage of Alisher Navoi. About 300 artistic and scientific works in the Uzbek language were handed over to the center by our university. Visitors to the center can get acquainted with the history, culture, and creative heritage of the Uzbek people. The main task of this place is not only to unite the scientists of the two nations, but also to provide information about the history, culture, present day, political and social life of Uzbekistan to all those interested. In order to effectively start the activity of the center, an agreement was reached on the large-scale involvement of Azerbaijani students and pupils in the activities and practical training organized in it.
Addressing the opening ceremony of the center, Director of the Nizami Ganjavi Center Alimukhtar Mukhtarov said, “Uzbekistan - Azerbaijan, two souls in one body”, wished that sincere dialogue between our countries would last forever.
The conference and the opening ceremony of the center were a good opportunity to get to know Azerbaijani scientists better, to discuss new scientific ideas and to define future plans.