In his welcoming speech, the Head of State stressed the symbolic character of the opening of the Year of Uzbekistan in Kazakhstan on the eve of the great Nauryz Holiday, which coincides with the first working advisory meeting of the heads of the Central Asian states.
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 relations between our two nations. They go back far into the centuries and are backed by the glorious common history and rich spiritual heritage of our ancestors, the President of Kazakhstan said.
The Kazakh leader said about the special significance of the event not only as a symbol of the Kazakh-Uzbek friendship and good-neighbourliness, 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 the rich history and original cultural heritage. We have preserved common values, common worldview priorities and a system of worldview. Let this holiday serve to further consolidate 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 Order of Dostyk I degree for his significant contribution to the strengthening and development of political, economic and cultural relations between the two countries.
In turn, Shavkat 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.
Shavkat Mirziyoyev emphasized Kazakhstan’s consistent political reforms and economic reforms, far-sighted and deeply thought out global and regional initiatives, which are recognized all over the world.
- The country’s successful chairmanship in the UN Security Council, the historic meeting of the Council of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, the holding of EXPO-2017 World Expo, the first summit of the Islamic Cooperation Organization for Science and Technology and many other large international events. Today, for the first time in many years, we have held a consultative meeting in Astana for the heads of the Central Asian states, the President of Uzbekistan said.
He has also stressed Nursultan Nazarbayev’s role in the integration cooperation of the Central Asian countries in the name of peace, stability and prosperity of the entire region.
- Close ties between our regions, open communication and friendship between people, and the cultural exchange intensification have made it possible to achieve the main thing - to bring our nations closer together. I would like to highlight that it is now possible owing to the huge efforts of the outstanding public and political figure of the global scale - the President of Kazakhstan, the respected Nursultan Nazarbayev, the President of Uzbekistan said.
The Uzbek leader placed greater focus on the development of relations in the cultural and humanitarian sphere between the two countries.
-In this regard, I would like to inform you that the decision of the President of Uzbekistan was adopted on the deep study and propaganda in our country of the legacy of the outstanding son of the Kazakh people, the thinker and humanist Abay Kunanbayev, Shavkat Mirziyoyev said.
During the event there was a performance of the leading masters of arts of Uzbekistan, as well as a presentation of the exhibition of folk and applied art of the neighbouring country.
Also, President of the Kyrgyz Republic Sooronbay Jeenbekov and President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon have been the participants of the opening ceremony of the Year of Uzbekistan in Kazakhstan.
