Azerbaijan–Uzbekistan energy partnership reaches strategic level

Speaking at a ceremony, Azerbaijan’s Energy Minister Parviz Shahbazov said political will demonstrated by the leaders of both countries has elevated Azerbaijan–Uzbekistan relations to the level of strategic alliance, strengthened by personal trust and friendship between the heads of state.

He noted Azerbaijan’s accession as a full participant in the Consultative Meeting of Central Asian Leaders and highlighted that the opening of the Zangezur Corridor enhances the importance of the Middle Corridor and marks a new phase in bilateral cooperation.

Shahbazov emphasised the growing role of energy cooperation, citing the launch of a joint SOCAR–Uzbekneftegaz exploration project in the Ustyurt region as a key example. The project reinforces knowledge and technology exchange in the hydrocarbon sector and supports regional energy integration.

He also described the creation of the Trans-Caspian Energy Corridor — uniting the power systems of Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan for the first time — as a strategically significant initiative. The corridor is expected to expand over time and enable the transmission of renewable energy along the Middle Corridor linking Asia and Europe.

On 24 July 2025, SOCAR, Uzbekneftegaz and the Republic of Uzbekistan signed a Production Sharing Agreement on exploration, development and production across investment blocks in Uzbekistan.