A number of foreign leaders congratulated President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov with the country’s Independence Day.

Irina Bokova, Director-General of UNESCO, in her congratulatory letter, expressed appreciation of Uzbekistan’s continued participation in the organization’s programs and the country’s significant contribution to consistent implementation of the mandate of the UNESCO, particularly in the field of culture.

“UNESCO began its close cooperation with Uzbekistan in 1993. Bilateral cooperation has increased when in 1998 at the initiative of the Uzbek government, the organization’s Executive Board held a final meeting of the 154th session in Tashkent. At that event, an important resolution on culture of peace called “The Tashkent Declaration” was adopted,” Irina Bokova wrote.

Along with this, she praised “numerous initiatives put forward by Uzbekistan to further promote intercultural dialogue and closer cooperation between the states along the Silk Road”. “It gives me a great pleasure to note that a number of activities aimed at reviving the Silk Road were implemented through projects of the International Institute for Central Asian Studies (IICAS), founded in Samarkand in 1995 as the 2nd-category institute under the UNESCO auspices,” she noted.

“I am confident that under your leadership and personal direction, Uzbekistan will continue to play a dynamic role, in particular, as a leading member of the UNESCO Executive Board, and excellent relations that exist between your country and the organization will find further fruitful development,” Irina Bokova said.

President of Latvia Valdis Zatlers expressed confidence that friendly relations existing between the two countries would continue prospering. He assured the head of Uzbekistan of his highest esteem and made wishes of welfare and prosperity for the people of Uzbekistan.

President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev wrote: “I am convinced that Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, which are linked by common culture and traditions, will always be true to bonds of friendship and good neighborliness while strengthening and developing mutually beneficial cooperation in the interests of the two countries’ peoples.”

President of Afghanistan Hamid Karzai said he warmly welcomed and was sincerely glad that the friendly relations between Afghanistan and Uzbekistan were developing and strengthening day by day.

“Highly appreciating our good and friendly relations with the Republic of Uzbekistan, which are based on principles of good neighborliness and mutual respect, I sincerely wish for their further development in the political, economic and cultural fields,” Hamid Karzai wrote.

President of Mongolia Tsakhiagiin Elbegdorj noted that bilateral friendly relations and mutually beneficial cooperation between Mongolia and Uzbekistan was developing successfully.

“In 2011, we will celebrate the 20th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between our countries. In this regard, I invite you to visit Mongolia at a convenient time for you,” the leader of Mongolia said.

King of Morocco Mohammed VI said he cherished brotherly Islamic ties between the two nations and was striving to continue cooperating with President Karimov to strengthen solidarity and development of bilateral relations for the benefit of the two peoples and the Muslim Ummah.

King of Thailand Bhumibol Adulyadej also sent his sincere congratulations and best wishes of prosperity and happiness, as well as development and prosperity of Uzbekistan and its people.

Governor General of Canada Michaëlle Jean wrote: “This year was marked by confident renewal of friendship between Canada and Uzbekistan. The increase of the number of visits of high-level delegations and close cooperation between our countries within multilateral forums in the recent time indicate deepening of our bilateral relations. Looking ahead to the coming year, I am confident that our relationship will further strengthen.”

President of Slovenia Danilo Türk expressed hope that cooperation between the Republic of Slovenia and the Republic of Uzbekistan would continue to expand and strengthen in the spirit of mutual respect and understanding.

President of Egypt Hosni Mubarak wrote: “It is a great honor for me to send Your Excellency my most sincere and best wishes on the occasion of Independence Day of the Republic of Uzbekistan. Taking this opportunity, I wish Your Excellency strong health and happiness and the brotherly people of Uzbekistan further progress and prosperity.”

Sultan of Oman Qaboos bin Said said in his letter: “On the occasion of Independence Day of the Republic of Uzbekistan, I am pleased to send you, Your Excellency, my sincere congratulations. Taking this opportunity, I wish Your Excellency strong health and success in your work, and the Uzbek people peace and prosperity.”

Emir of Qatar Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani expressed confidence in his letter that “the existing friendly relations between our countries and peoples will continue to grow and strengthen.”

King of Jordan Abdullah II noted: “It gives me great pleasure to extend my sincere congratulations on behalf of the government, the people of Jordan and myself to Your Excellency, the government and the people on Uzbekistan’s national holiday – the Independence Day.”

President of Tunisia Zine El Abidine Ben Ali expressed wish that bonds of brotherhood and cooperation existing between the two countries would see even greater progress and development in the common interest of the brotherly peoples, UzA states.

Sultan of Brunei Hagey Hassanal Bolkiah also sent congratulations and best wishes to the President, the government and the people of Uzbekistan on the occasion of Independence Day of Uzbekistan. “I look forward to continuing our joint work to strengthen friendly relations between our countries,” he wrote.

President of the Republic of South Africa Jacob Zuma expressed warmest congratulations to the President, the government and the people of Uzbekistan on behalf of the people and the government of South Africa and himself. “I wish Your Excellency good health, as well as further strengthening and close ties of friendship existing between our two countries,” he said.

President of Sri Lanka Mahinda Rajapaksa wrote: “Relations between Sri Lanka and Uzbekistan are developing on the basis of friendship and mutual respect. I am confident that cooperation between our two countries will continue to expand and strengthen for the good of our peoples.”

Dr Ahmad Muhammad Ali, President of the Islamic Development Bank said the IDB appreciated the assistance extended by the Republic of Uzbekistan to the bank. “I ask God to give your country further prosperity and progress,” he noted.

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