These events as a unique case in the history of cooperation between our peoples will serve to further strengthen fraternal relations.

The opening ceremony of the Year of Kazakhstan in Uzbekistan has taken place on April 15 at Uzbekistan Palace of International Forums.

President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev addressed the event. The heads of state noted that cultural-humanitarian ties that had intensified in Kazakhstan within the framework of the Year of Uzbekistan brought our peoples closer together. The Presidents emphasized that related events play an important role in strengthening cooperation between peoples of the two countries and contribute to the achievement of a common goal – the exaltation of traditional friendship.

“The Year of Kazakhstan in Uzbekistan testifies to the dynamically developing strategic partnership, the growing confidence, mutual support, the inseparability of the bonds between our two countries. This momentous event is also a symbol of the eternal and sincere friendship, cultural and spiritual community of the two peoples”, Shavkat Mirziyoyev said.

The President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev noted that the events of the Year of Kazakhstan will further strengthen the cultural ties between our fraternal peoples.

The Year of Kazakhstan in the Republic of Uzbekistan was declared open.

As it is known, within the framework of the Year of Uzbekistan held in Kazakhstan on a large scale, many educational meetings, various festivals and creative evenings, events in economics, tourism and cultural-humanitarian fields were organized. Mutual trips of artists of the two countries were organized. The tours of the Uzbek National Academic Drama Theater, the creative teams of Navoi region were received with great interest in the regions of neighboring Kazakhstan.

Currently, over 50 cooperation agreements are in force in higher education system of the two countries. The Kazakh language is studied almost in 400 schools of our country, pedagogical personnel are trained in higher education institutions in the Kazakh language, mathematics and other subjects. In Shymkent, in May 2018, a Memorandum of Cooperation was signed between the Committee on Interethnic Relations and Friendly Ties with Foreign Countries under the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Assembly of People of Kazakhstan. This allowed to enrich the content of mutually beneficial relations in the study of Uzbek and Kazakh languages in the territory of both countries.

The resolution of the President of Uzbekistan of March 13, 2018 “On broad study and promotion of the creative heritage of the outstanding Kazakh poet and thinker Abai Kunanbayev” was adopted. At the same time, 577th anniversary of our great ancestor Alisher Navoi’s birth was widely celebrated in Kazakhstan. This is an important event for our peoples with similar literature and culture, since ancient times connected by related ties. The opening in Uzbekistan of the Center of Culture and Literature of Kazakhstan is another confirmation of the continuation of cooperation in this field.

Uzbekistan – Kazakhstan inter-parliamentary friendship groups play an important role in strengthening friendship. In particular, in November 2018, a Memorandum of Cooperation was signed between the lower chambers of parliaments of the two countries, which marked a new period of interrelations in lawmaking. And this, in turn, is an important factor in strengthening the legal framework for cooperation in trade-economic, social-humanitarian spheres.

In Uzbekistan, extensive preparations have been carried out for the Year of Kazakhstan. Events within its framework will open up new horizons for representatives of the arts, science, education, business of the two countries to expand mutually beneficial contacts, exchange knowledge and achievements. All this will contribute to the mutual enrichment of cultures and further harmonization of our peoples.

– A broad celebration this year in Uzbekistan of the Year of Kazakhstan will bring cultural, socio-humanitarian cooperation between the regions to a new level, – said the Minister of Culture and Sports of the Republic of Kazakhstan Arystanbek Mukhamediuly. – Many cultural events, tours of art masters and theater groups of the two countries will be organized.

The number of tourists who want to get acquainted with the rich history of Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan, unique customs and traditions, architectural monuments, to join the centuries-old achievements of civilization is increasing worldwide. In this regard, cooperation in tourism industry is one of the important areas.

The upcoming joint events and projects in Uzbekistan within the Year of Kazakhstan will serve as a solid foundation for such cooperation.

The opening ceremony continued with a colorful gala concert.

Thereupon, the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s visit to Uzbekistan has ended.