On August 23, President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev made a phone call to President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev.

During the phone conversation, the sides discussed further developing mutually beneficial cooperation and strengthening the strategic partnership between the two countries.

They hailed notable progress in implementing the agreements reached based on the results of the high-level meetings this June.

They noted the fruitful meeting of the Intergovernmental Joint Commission and the first gathering of the ministers of foreign affairs, trade and transport of Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan and Turkey in early August.

The presidents stated that the trade turnover has increased by 70 percent, and the implementation of cooperation projects in agriculture, silk and textile industry, machine building, chemistry and other areas started this year. The sides noted that work is underway to launch the Uzbekistan-Azerbaijan investment fund soon and that cultural-humanitarian exchange was expanding.

The heads of state expressed their support for the further expansion of functional interaction. In this regard, they stressed the importance of holding this fall of a Forum of Regions and an exhibition of the two countries' industrial potential.

During the phone conversation, the sides exchanged views on the regional agenda. They reviewed the schedule and agenda of the upcoming multilateral meetings, including the summits of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and the Organization of Turkic States to be held in Samarkand.

The telephone conversation between the presidents of Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan transpired in a traditionally open, sincere and friendly atmosphere.