Speech by Ilham Aliyev at the Informal Meeting of the Heads of State of Azerbaijan and Central Asian Countries in Cholpon-Ata

- Esteemed Sadyr Nurgozhoevich,

Esteemed colleagues,

First of all, I express my gratitude to the President of Kyrgyzstan for the invitation to participate in the Consultative Meeting of the Heads of State of Central Asia and Azerbaijan. I have been in Kyrgyzstan since yesterday, and first of all, I would like to once again congratulate the President of Kyrgyzstan on the significant successes in the socio-economic development of the country, as well as on the transformation of the area around Lake Issyk-Kul into a resort and tourist destination of international standing.

I am also visiting Kyrgyzstan on a state visit. Earlier today, President Sadyr Nurgozhoevich and I held extensive discussions covering a broad bilateral agenda. A substantial package of documents was signed, which will provide a solid foundation for the continued successful development of our bilateral relations. Among the documents signed today, I would particularly like to highlight the Treaty on Allied Relations. This represents the highest level of interstate cooperation and has elevated relations between our two brotherly countries to the level of an alliance.

I would also like to note with satisfaction the successful development of trade and economic relations between our two brotherly countries. One of the documents signed today provides for an increase in the capital of the joint Azerbaijan–Kyrgyzstan Development Fund from USD 100 million to USD 200 million.

We were briefed on the progress achieved and, on the projects, already implemented through financing provided by the joint Fund. Several enterprises are already operational, and the potential for further cooperation is, of course, considerable.

We are also very glad and proud that the first five-star hotel on the shores of Lake Issyk-Kul was built by the Azerbaijani side. The “Baku” hotel is ready to welcome guests, and I am pleased that we will all participate together in the inauguration of this major tourism center.

Relations with the countries of Central Asia are among the priorities of Azerbaijan's foreign policy. The frequency of our mutual visits speaks for itself. Since the beginning of 2023, over the past three and a half years, I have visited the brotherly countries of Central Asia 16 times, while my colleagues have paid 26 visits to Azerbaijan during the same period.

These figures speak louder than words about the closeness of our relations and demonstrate that Central Asia and Azerbaijan have, in effect, become a single geopolitical and geoeconomic space.

I would also like to note that this is the first time I am participating as a full member of the Consultative Meeting format, and I would like to once again express my gratitude to all the Heads of State of Central Asia for the historic decision adopted in Uzbekistan last year to include Azerbaijan as a full member of this group. I previously participated as a guest of honor, but today I am taking part as a full member of the team.

Once again, I express my gratitude to all my colleagues. I want to assure you that Azerbaijan will be an active member of this consultative format and, for its part, will spare no effort to further expand cooperation and bring our countries and peoples even closer together.

Thank you for your attention.