First of all, I congratulate all of you from the bottom of my heart on the May 9 – the Remembrance and Honors Day, the 72nd anniversary of the great Victory gained in the World War II.
I express my deep respect and esteem, as well as the kind wishes to you – my dear compatriots and in your person – our entire nation.
First of all, I would like to support the assessments of main outcomes of the SCO’s activity for over the past period enunciated by the heads of delegations. During 15 years since establishment, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization has rightfully secured a commendable place in the ranks of high-profile and influential international organizations. It became an efficient factor of sustainable development, strengthening peace, countering the modern challenges and threats, ensuring the security and stability on the regional and global levels.
Today I feel immensely happy and honored to welcome you, my dear ones, in this gorgeous and awe-inspiring square, and from the bottom of my heart to congratulate all of you, and in your person our entire nation, on our greatest and dearest holiday – the Independence Day of Uzbekistan.
The independence is a great event for us, which has entirely changed the meaning and essence of our life and opened up a new page in our history. The independence is valued and revered by us as it has liberated our Homeland and our people from the chains of old despotic regime, paved way to establishing a national democratic state and building a prosperous life, being equal to all countries and nations.
First of all, allow me from the bottom of my heart to congratulate you, my dear ones, participants of the Sharq Taronalari International Music Festival in the ancient and beautiful city of Samarkand with an almost three thousand-year history and culture, and in this magnificent and resplendent Registan Square which has witnessed so many great events.
Dear compatriots, distinguished deputies of the Oliy Majlis!
Esteemed guests!
It is a great pleasure to me, appealing to you – deputies of the Legislative Chamber and members of the Senate of Oliy Majlis – and in your person to the entire people of Uzbekistan, to express my sincere gratitude to all our compatriots who have placed a high confidence in me by electing as President of the Republic of Uzbekistan.
I would take this opportunity to extend my deep respect and esteem to you, my dear ones, and wish sound health, happiness and wellbeing.
It gives me a great satisfaction to greet the heads of CIS nations and extend my sincere gratefulness to President of the Republic of Belarus Alexander Grigorievich Lukashenko for a warm reception and hospitality.
It gives me great pleasure to welcome you, our esteemed guests – the leadership and members of the Executive Council, heads of ministries and agencies for tourism development, academics and specialists, chiefs of tour organizations, representatives of the global tourism industry – to express my great respect for you and wish you a productive and successful work of the 99th Session of the Executive Council.
President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov has taken part in the session of Shanghai Cooperation Organization’s Council of the Heads of State. Following is the text of Uzbek President’s speech at the extended meeting in that summit.