In his welcoming speech, the Head of State stressed the symbolism of opening the Year of Uzbekistan in Kazakhstan on the eve of the great Nauryz Holiday, which coincided with the first working consultative meeting of the heads of Central Asian states. This was reported by the press service of Akorda.

Nursultan Nazarbayev noted that Astana and Tashkent successfully develop trade, economic and investment cooperation and have a common vision on ways to address key international and regional issues.

"The Year of Uzbekistan in Kazakhstan reflects the genuinely fraternal character of the relations between our peoples. They are rooted in many centuries and are backed by the glorious common history and rich spiritual heritage of our ancestors," the President of Kazakhstan said.

The Head of State noted the special significance of the event not only as a symbol of the Kazakh-Uzbek friendship and good-neighborliness, but also an event that will be a significant contribution to strengthening partnership and cultural and civilizational rapprochement of the entire region.

"Central Asia is one of the oldest cradles of human civilization, with a rich history and an original cultural heritage. We have preserved common values, common worldview priorities and a system of world perception. Let this holiday serve further consolidation of our unity, spiritual community and centuries-old friendship," the President of Kazakhstan said.

At the end of his speech, the Head of the State awarded the President of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, with the Dostyk Order of the I degree for his significant contribution to the strengthening and development of bilateral political, economic and cultural relations between the two countries.

In his turn, Sh. Mirziyoyev thanked Nursultan Nazarbayev for the high appreciation of his work and expressed deep gratitude for the initiative and the decision to hold the year of the Republic of Uzbekistan in Kazakhstan.

Sh. Mirziyoyev highlighted the consistent political and economic reforms, far-sighted and deeply thought out global and regional initiatives of Kazakhstan, which are recognized all over the world.

"The successful chairmanship of the country in the UN Security Council, the historic meeting of the Council of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, the holding of Expo-2017, the first summit of the Islamic Cooperation Organization for Science and Technology and many other large international events are the sharp evidence of Kazakhstan’s high international authority. Today, for the first time in many years, we held a consultative meeting of the heads of Central Asian states in Astana," said the President of Uzbekistan.

Sh. Mirziyoyev also highlighted the role of Nursultan Nazarbayev in the integration cooperation of Central Asian countries for peace, stability and prosperity throughout the region.

"Close ties between our regions, open communication and friendship between people, and the intensification of cultural exchange allowed to achieve the main thing — to bring our peoples closer together. I would like to emphasize that this became possible thanks to the tremendous efforts of the outstanding state and political figure of the world scale — the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the respected Nursultan Nazarbayev," the President of Uzbekistan said.

The Head of Uzbekistan stressed the high importance of the development of relations in the cultural and humanitarian sphere between the two countries.

"In this regard, I want to inform you that the order of the President of Uzbekistan on the deep study and propaganda in our country of the legacy of the outstanding son of the Kazakh people, the poet-thinker and humanist Abai Kunanbayev was adopted," Sh. Mirziyoyev said.

During the event, the performance of the leading masters of arts of the Republic of Uzbekistan took place, as well as a presentation of the exhibition of folk and applied art of the neighboring country was held.

Presidents of the Kyrgyz Republic, S. Jeenbekov, and the Republic of Tajikistan, E. Rahmon, also took part in the opening ceremony of the Year of Uzbekistan in Kazakhstan.

 

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