A ceremonial reception was held in Tashkent to mark the 107th anniversary of the proclamation of Azerbaijan’s Independence Day.

The event was organized by the Embassy of Azerbaijan in Uzbekistan and the Azerbaijan Cultural Center named after Heydar Aliyev.

The celebration was attended by the First Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Achilbay Ramatov, accredited diplomatic representatives of foreign states and international organizations, military attachés, heads of government agencies, public and cultural organizations, scholars, artists, media representatives, and members of the Azerbaijani diaspora.

In his welcome speech, the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Azerbaijan to the Republic of Uzbekistan, Huseyn Guliyev, recalled that on May 28, 1918, the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic – the first democratic republic in the East – was proclaimed. Despite its existence lasting only 23 months, the foundations of statehood were laid in that short time: the flag and citizenship were established, the national army was formed, and Baku was liberated from the occupiers.

Special attention was given to the development of relations between Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan. Huseyn Guliyev noted that cooperation between the two countries has reached a high level. He recalled the signing of the Treaty on Allied Relations, the establishment of the Supreme Interstate Council, and the active work in political, economic, cultural, and humanitarian spheres. According to the Ambassador, the presidents of the two countries, Ilham Aliyev and Shavkat Mirziyoyev, are pursuing reform-oriented policies aimed at sustainable development and improving the quality of life for their citizens.

The cultural part of the event was highlighted by a performance from People’s Artist of Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan, Gulyanag Mammadova, who performed Azerbaijani and Uzbek musical songs.

Aziza Alimova, Doniyor Yakubov, UzA