VLADIMIR TYURDENEV: INDEPENDENCE DAY IS A POWERFUL SYMBOL OF UNITY OF ALL CITIZENS

On the eve of 25th anniversary of the state independence of Uzbekistan, heads of diplomatic missions accredited in Tashkent have kindly agreed to answer questions of the Jahon Information Agency.

Thus, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Russian Federation to Uzbekistan Vladimir Tyurdenev shared his opinion and wishes.

— Vladimir Lvovich, our conversation takes place on the eve of a momentous event - the 25th anniversary of Uzbekistan’s independence. We would be grateful to receive your opinion on the success of our country in the sphere of state and social construction.

— Over the years of independence Uzbekistan carried out profound reforms to ensure positive dynamics of the political and socio-economic development, effective functioning of the state and public structures.

It is known that Uzbek model of statehood is distinguished by a strong social component. Measures implemented in the country to protect family, mothers and children, and care for older generation deserve great respect. Great attention is paid to young people - boys and girls open up even more opportunities for self-realization and receipt of quality education. Serious work is underway on the development of health, sports, science and culture. The appropriate infrastructure, modern sports complexes, medical facilities, a comfortable places for recreation have been created.

Of course, these achievements are the merit of Uzbek people known for its diligence, high spirituality, commitment, the ability to overcome difficulties. Just these very qualities are the key to sustainable development of the state and society.

— Economic development is one of the most important directions of the state policy. In your opinion, what drivers provide a consistent growth of the Uzbek economy?

— The economic success of Uzbekistan is connected with the effectiveness of chosen strategy - Uzbek model of development of national economy. Stable economic growth rates were achieved largely due to the complex system of measures on radical change in ownership structure, reduction of state presence in the economy, changes in corporate governance principles and approaches. Industry modernization held in the country, adopted package of legal acts to strengthen the safeguards and protection of legitimate rights of private owners and entrepreneurs, simplification and facilitation of creation and implementation of business entities provide growth of volume of attracted investments into economy.

Horticulture and animal husbandry, industrial processing of their products are developing dynamically. Measures to increase population incomes and improve the level and quality of life play an important role in the stability of the socio-economic development.

Note that the Russian-Uzbek trade and economic ties are developing steadily and have good prospects. Economic agenda, without exaggeration, is one of the core pillars of the whole complex of bilateral relations of strategic partnership between our countries.

Uzbekistan continues to be one of Russia’s major trading partners among the Central Asian countries. The share of our country accounts for nearly 18% of Uzbekistan’s foreign trade turnover. Russia remains among the largest investment partners of Uzbekistan. Only in recent years Russian companies invested more than 6 billion US dollars in Uzbek economy. There are about 900 joint ventures in Uzbekistan, while in Russiamore than 500 enterprises with Uzbek capital have been created.

— According to its tradition, in Uzbekistan every year is dedicated to a certain social direction. This year state program "Year of a healthy mother and child" is being implemented. In this context, we would like to know your opinion about the importance of this program and social development in the country.

— Last year Uzbekistan has implemented the State program "Year of attention and care for the older generation", and on the initiative of President Islam Karimov 2016 was declared as the Year of maternal and child health. It is safe to say that this was a natural and logical continuation of the socially oriented state policy, where priority is the health of women, mothers and upbringing harmoniously developed, physically healthy and spiritually mature generation.

In particular, in order to achieve results in this area such priority tasks have been determined: improvement of legislation and the regulatory framework regarding protection of family, motherhood and childhood; continuation of work on the creation of the necessary social, household and medical conditions; increasing the medical culture of population; popularization of physical culture and sports; strengthening the role of education system.

Announcement of 2016 as Year of health of mother and child demonstrates the strong commitment of Uzbekistan’s leadership to achieve new successes on the road of building a prosperous state, in which the role of a healthy generation has a special place. Healthy motherhood is important for any country, because healthy children are the foundation of a strong state and the future of every nation.

— Representatives of more than 130 nations and nationalities live in Uzbekistan. The world community has recognized the uniqueness of Uzbek model of ensuring inter-ethnic harmony. Mr. Ambassador, share your opinion on the approval of tolerance atmosphere in Uzbek society...

— Tolerance has centuries-old roots in Uzbekistan. Just on this very ground a variety of nationalities, religions and traditions have interacted and co-existed. Here different civilizations existed side by side, there was a global enrichment of world cultures.

Since independence, Uzbekistan has preserved the multinational environment of stability, interethnic and inter-religious peace. Uzbek experience in maintenance of atmosphere of accord and tolerance in the Central Asian region’s most populous country, which is home to more than 130 people and 16 religious denominations, is unique in its own way in the modern world. This, of course, is the merit of the republic’s leadership, which pays great attention to this issue and conducts an effective social policy.

It must be stressed that the inter-ethnic and inter-confessional accord is a reflection of characteristic features of Uzbek people, its centuries-old traditions of good neighborliness and hospitality, which are especially evident during the Great Patriotic War, when Uzbekistan received more than 1.5 million evacuated people. Among them - almost 300 thousand orphaned children taken out of besieged Leningrad, Belarus, Poland and Ukraine.

— Modern Uzbekistan is equal subject of international relations...

— Our country proceeds from the fact that in 21st century intergovernmental cooperation can be built only on the basis of international law and central coordinating role of the UN, genuine equality and mutual respect of interests of each other.

Russian Federation attaches great importance to the strengthening of mutually beneficial cooperation with our ally and strategic partner - the sovereign Republic of Uzbekistan. We arrange a constructive political dialogue, consolidate economic ties, expand humanitarian cooperation.

— Please share with us your assessments of current state and prospects of bilateral relations between our countries.

— We value the high level of mutual understanding and trust, by which bilateral Russian-Uzbek cooperation is notable for. Our countries are interested in sustainable development and prosperity of each other, increasing the authority and strengthening of positions in the region and international arena.

Russia and Uzbekistan successfully cooperate in international areas, especially in the framework of UN, CIS and SCO, regularly synchronizing watches on a wide range of issues related to the competence of mentioned organizations.

A regular dialogue between the leaders of our countries - President of Russian Federation Vladimir Putin and President of Republic of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov, plays a major role in the development of the entire system of bilateral cooperation. In the course of visit of the head of your state to Russia this year on April 25-26, they outlined ways to deepen mutually beneficial cooperation in a number of areas, including trade and economic cooperation, security and strengthening of contacts in the field of culture and sports.

Intergovernmental Commission is an important mechanism for the development of Russian-Uzbek economic cooperation. It’sseventeenth regular session was held this year on March 24-25 in Moscow.

Age-old traditions of friendship and mutual assistance between the peoples of our countries underlie the dynamically developing Russian-Uzbek relations. I am confident that they will continue to progress at an ever-increasing rate.

— Your wishes to the people of Uzbekistan on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of independence of our country.

— Taking this opportunity I want to warmly congratulate Uzbek people with a holiday that is a powerful symbol of national unity of all citizens of the country - Independence Day of the Republic of Uzbekistan!

I wish you all good health, happiness, well-being and enjoyment of all undertakings that serve the prosperity and peace. Let tranquility, prosperity and abundance reign in every family!

Jahon Information Agency