Thanks to the political will, high trust and efforts of the heads of state of Uzbekistan and Tajikistan, mutually beneficial contacts are consistently developing between our countries in all spheres, the strategic partnership and alliance based on friendship and good-neighborliness are rising to a qualitatively new level.

As a result, mutual visits have increased, and several joint projects have been implemented. The participation of the parties in cultural events, various forums, exhibitions and festivals organized alternately in both countries has become a tradition. Our peoples are immensely happy about this.

President of the Republic of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon, speaking about the established atmosphere of friendship and trust between the two countries, noted that the problems accumulated over the past years were solved in a very short period of time. International organizations did not believe that this would happen. Today, there are practically no unresolved issues between the two states, mutual trust has strengthened. And the initiator, the architect of the construction of such relations is the respected Shavkat Miromonovich Mirziyoyev.

And here I would like to give a very beautiful description of the relations established between our countries given by the President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev.

“The Uzbek and Tajik peoples are like two branches of the same tree, two tributaries of the same river. We have one religion, common land and water. We are together in joy and sorrow, united by a single destiny. Continuing the good traditions of our ancestors, we must strengthen and protect the friendship of our peoples”, Shavkat Miromonovich noted.

Indeed, despite the fact that Uzbekistan and Tajikistan, as two independent states, have different border territories, there is a lot in common that connects our peoples since ancient times.

Over the past 5-6 years, Uzbekistan has achieved significant success in all areas. Of course, being one of the closest neighbors of your country, we also sincerely rejoice at each of your achievements.

It is worth noting the scale of these results, including in education and culture. We receive more detailed information about these results within the framework of the XV Forum of creative and scientific intelligentsia of the member states of the Commonwealth of Independent States organized at a high level in Tashkent.

Here I would like to consider some aspects that have attracted my attention. According to available information, over the past six years, the scientific potential of Uzbekistan's universities has grown from 32.7 percent to 39.3 percent. This is a very good indicator.

37 higher education institutions have been granted academic and financial independence. This means that these higher education institutions have the opportunity to strengthen their material and technical base, independently decide the admission parameters on a fee-contract basis. It is also noteworthy that the procedure for the independent development and approval of educational plans and programs has been introduced.

The introduction of a system of state grants to girls from low-income families is also a reflection of the great attention paid to the people.

I would also like to note the talent and potential of Uzbekistan representatives of creativity and art. Representatives of your country surprise the entire world community in such areas as maqom, the art of bakhshi, opera and ballet, national performance, fine and applied arts, national dance and others. Undoubtedly, such achievements and results are the result of fundamental reforms implemented by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev.

Within the framework of the forum, a ceremony of awarding the international prize “Commonwealth of Debuts” for young scientists of the CIS was also held in Tashkent, which also became an important event.

In this competition, organized to support the creativity of the youth of the CIS member states, the development of creative dialogue and cooperation of the youth of the CIS in culture, art, science and education, to support the professional growth of aspiring authors, performers and young scientists, Uzbekistan always shows decent results.

It has become a good tradition in Tajikistan to hold events dedicated to Uzbek culture and Uzbek national art. These events are important for strengthening mutual cultural ties between the two fraternal peoples. In turn, conferences and music programs organized in Uzbekistan, dedicated to the culture and art, literature of Tajikistan, also serve to further strengthen friendship and brotherhood.

Speaking in general, in today's tense times, Uzbekistan deserves the highest recognition for its desire for innovations, initiatives to strengthen good-neighborly relations, high achievements in culture and education.

 Dostizoda Mirali,

Rector of Tajik National Conservatory,

People’s Artist of Tajikistan.

UzA