Armenia–Uzbekistan relations

Armenia and Uzbekistan enjoy a relatively strong relations, which is sometimes viewed to be among one of the wealthiest relationships between Armenia and a Turkic state. Both two embassies of two nations are accredited in Moscow.

History
Armenians have long presence in Central Asia since antiquity, in which Armenians, mostly traders, established trade and economic links with the Turks of Central Asia. It would have continued with little interruption, despite Armenia went to the hand of Byzantine Empire, Safavid dynasty to the later Russian Empire, although it went declined at 19th century.

Armenian immigrants moved in large number to the Central Asian region, especially during the World War I which occurred the Armenian Genocide. As part of Tsarist Russia and later Soviet Union, ethnic Armenians were trusted to ongoing immigration to the region, and Armenian immigration also met with little resistance from local Uzbeks. Uzbeks and Armenians were able to get along well until the rise of ethnic nationalism at 1990s that saw clashes between Armenians and Muslim peoples, mainly Tajiks but also a minority of Uzbeks, which ended deadly.

However, with the erupt of Tajikistani Civil War, newly independent Uzbekistan tolerated and encouraged Armenians fighting against Tajik-backed forces in the war, mostly Islamists. Consequently, Uzbekistan had its own Armenian militias fighting on the side of Tashkent, and for its efforts, soon became recognized among Uzbek citizens. On the other hand, Uzbekistan was thought to have unofficially acknowledged the Armenian Genocide, though not proven.

Uzbekistan served as transit for Armenians to transport weapons, ammunitions, and aids to Armenian forces fighting against Azerbaijani Armed Forces throughout the Nagorno-Karabakh War at 1990s.

Today
Owned by this closeness, Armenia and Uzbekistan established official tie following the fall of USSR. This close relations was followed by Uzbekistan's embracing Armenian ethnic minority within the country, with its Armenian minority holds annual festivals in the country. There are several Armenian Churches in Uzbekistan, both are well-perceived by the host nation.

Azerbaijan, a fellow Turkic nation close to Uzbekistan, has expressed its concern over Armenian activities in Uzbekistan which was believed to helping spread anti-Azerbaijani propaganda in Uzbekistan.

Nagorno-Karabakh
Uzbekistan has taken side on Azerbaijan over the ongoing cold war in Karabakh, but has refrained from criticisms against Armenia; instead urging Armenia and Azerbaijan to find the way to solve the problems.

See also
Armenians in Central Asia

References

Uzbekistan 
Category:Armenia–Uzbekistan relations
Category:Bilateral relations of Uzbekistan