Azerbaijan is a strategic bridge between Central Asia and Europe

 Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev said Azerbaijan plays a key role as a strategic bridge linking Central Asia and Europe, according to a statement released by his press service on Sunday.

Speaking in an address to participants of the high-level forum "Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan and Europe — Cooperation for Shared Development", Mirziyoyev emphasized the forum’s role in promoting interregional consolidation and cooperation.

He noted the growing potential of Uzbekistan-Azerbaijan relations and praised President Ilham Aliyev’s contribution to strengthening ties between the South Caucasus and Central Asia. Mirziyoyev also congratulated the Azerbaijani people on the signing of the trilateral declaration with Armenia in Washington under U.S. mediation.