CONDOLENCES IN CONNECTION WITH THE DEATH OF THE PRESIDENT OF UZBEKISTAN ISLAM KARIMOV

Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed his condolences in connection with the death of the President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov.

“His passing away means a heavy loss for the entire people of Uzbekistan, for the Commonwealth of Independent States and for the partner nations of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization," Putin said in the telegram of condolences. Islam Abduganiyevich was a highly authoritative statesman and a true leader of his country. His name is linked to the milestone events in the history of contemporary Uzbekistani state” - the telegram says.

Putin stressed that under the leadership of Islam Karimov Uzbekistan was pursuing peace-loving foreign policy, contributing to the strengthening of security and stability in Central Asia, development of multifaceted cooperation in the region..

"It is difficult to overestimate Islam Karimov’s contribution to the establishments of relations of strategic partnership and allied relations between our countries. I am confident that in joint efforts we will keep developing Russian-Uzbek cooperation for the benefit of our fraternal nations ", - said Russian President.

Vladimir Putin conveyed words of sincere sympathy and support to the families and friends of the deceased, the government and the people of Uzbekistan.

The White House has released a statement of the United States President Barack Obama in connection with the death of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov.

"At this challenging time of President Islom Karimov’s passing, the United States reaffirm its support for the people of Uzbekistan. This week, I congratulated President Islam Karimov and the people of Uzbekistan with the 25th anniversary of independence of the country ", - said in the statement.

Noting that Uzbekistan begins a new chapter in its history, B.Obama said that the United States remains committed to the partnership with Uzbekistan, to its sovereignty and security.

Chinese President Xi Jinping has sent a telegram of condolence in connection with the passing of the First President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov.

"Chairman Xi Jinping, representing the government and people of China, expressed the deep sorrow and sincere condolences to the people of Uzbekistan and President Karimov’s relatives", - the telegram says.

"China highly appreciates the relations of comprehensive strategic partnership with Uzbekistan. We intend to work with the Uzbek side to strengthen the good neighborly relations, deepen mutually beneficial cooperation, constantly develop bilateral relations, to apply even more effort to act for the benefit of bоth countries and peoples," - said Xi Jinping.

The Prime Minister of the State Council of China Li Keqiang has also sent A telegram of condolence.

The President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev expressed condolences in connection with the death of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov.

The telegram says that the head of state has accepted the news of the death of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov with deep sorrow.

“The people of Kazakhstan share with the brotherly people of Uzbekistan the pain of the untimely and irretrievable loss I am grieving over the loss of my friend with whom I had worked side by side for almost 30 years," - said in a condolence message.

Nursultan Nazarbaev has noted that large-scale changes promoted the development of Uzbekistan’s economic potential, the growth of its international authority and the improvement of society’s well-being were connected with Karimov’s name.

"He devoted all his life to selfless service for his people, had always been a reliable friend of Kazakhstan and made a great contribution to strengthening friendship and good-neighbourliness between our nations. The bright memory about Islam Abduganievich Karimov will remain in our hearts forever", - the telegram said.

As conclusion, the President has expressed his deep condolences to the family of Islam Karimov and the country’s leadership and the brotherly people of Uzbekistan.

President of the Republic of Kyrgyzstan Almazbek Atambayev has sent condolences on the death of the President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov.

A.Atambaev noted that with deep sorrow he accepted the news of the death of the outstanding statesman, bright and energetic politician, invariable leader of independent Uzbekistan - Islam Karimov.

In his telegram, the President of Kyrgyzstan said that since the Soviet times, Karimov has shown himself as an experienced manager and skilled organizer. In the period of independence of Uzbekistan, he played a key role in strengthening the international position of the country, its success in socio-economic development.

A.Atambayev has expressed his appreciation for the contribution of President Islam Karimov to the establishment and development of bilateral Kyrgyz-Uzbek cooperation. "Thanks to his tireless efforts addressing issues of bоth bilateral and regional cooperation took a positive trend. the most complex issues of serious challenges were solved. We knew Islam Abduganievich as a senior comrade, worried about the strengthening of the Kyrgyz-Uzbek relations with the whole soul", - said the leader of Kyrgyzstan.

A.Atambayev has expressed the confidence that "the preservation and strengthening of our relations of friendship and partnership is the main purpose and meets the true interests of the peoples of Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan, which Islam Karimov has conducted his tireless work in the name of it."

President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon has expressed condolences on the death of President Islam Karimov.

"In Tajikistan, the news of the severe and irreversible loss of the friendly people of Uzbekistan - the untimely death of respected Islam Karimov is accepted with a sense of deep sorrow ", - said in the text of condolence.

Islam Karimov has gone down in the history of the Uzbek people as an outstanding statesman, who largely determined the nature and content of an era in the country’s development after gaining independence.

“Thanks to his wisdom and foresight he gained high recognition as a politician of broad scale, enjoyed well-deserved reputation far beyond the borders of the country. The bright memory of him will remain in our hearts forever. In this sad hour, we send our sincere condolences to the brotherly Uzbek people, all relatives and friends of Islam Abduganiyevich ", - states E.Rahmon.

President of Georgia Giorgi Margvelashvili has expressed his condolences on the passing of the President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov.

In the statement it is said that in the most difficult period in history of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov led the country, and under his leadership, Uzbekistan has achieved significant development, state building and prosperity.

"On behalf of the Georgian people and myself, I express my condolences to the people of Uzbekistan and sympathize with the President’s family. Name of Islam Karimov will take its rightful place in the history of Uzbekistan", - G.Margvelashvili has stressed.

President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko has sent his condolences on the passing of the President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov.

"In Belarus, the sad news on the death of the President of Uzbekistan is perceived with the deepest sorrow ", - stated in the text of condolence.

"A brilliant leader has passed away who dedicated himself to the service of his people and the state. Fellow citizens and friends around the world will remember Islam Abduganiyevich as an outstanding political and public figure whose name is inextricably linked with the advancement of independent Uzbekistan", - said Alexander Lukashenko.

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