Foreign leaders are sending letters to President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov, congratulating the head of the state and the people of Uzbekistan with the 19th anniversary of independence of the country, celebrated on 1 September.

Secretary General of the United Nations Ban Ki-Moon sent a congratulatory letter to President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov on the occasion of the 19th anniversary of independence of Uzbekistan.

“I remember very well my recent visit [to Uzbekistan] in April this year, when I felt the warmth of hospitality and got close acquainted with the culture of your country,” the head of the UN wrote.

Taking the opportunity, Ban Ki-Moon expressed gratitude to Uzbekistan for the constructive position in relation to tragic events in south Kyrgyzstan. “The readiness of the Uzbek authorities to welcome and receive the displaced people from the southern part of Kyrgyzstan was a significant contribution to the solution of the humanitarian crisis,” he stressed.

“The United Nations Organization is ready to strengthen our cooperation for the benefit of the people of Uzbekistan and for ensuring peace, security and sustainable development in Central Asia. I hope for your visit New York next month and the possibility to meet you,” UN Secretary General said.

President of Russia Dmitriy Medvedev, congratulating Islam Karimov, wrote: “Over the past years, the republic under your leadership has achieved significant progress in economic and sociopolitical reforms, and strengthening its international image.”

“The Russian-Uzbek dialogue has been developing dynamically on the principles of strategic partnership and allied relations. One can say without a doubt that our countries are linked not only with common history, but also with joint achievements in various areas,” the Russian leader noted.

“I believe close cooperation will continue opening new perspectives and directions of mutually beneficial cooperation for us, and contribute to strengthening security and stability,” Dmitriy Medvedev emphasized.

President of South Korea Lee Myung-Bak expressed satisfaction with the stable development of relations between his country and Uzbekistan. “I am convinced that our friendly ties will continue bringing mutual benefit in the coming years,” he wrote.

President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguli Berdimuhamedov noted that the “high level of bilateral relations, reached between our countries, will serve as a solid basis for further development and strengthening of mutually beneficial cooperation for the good of our peoples.”

Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko wrote: “I am convinced that the Republic of Belarus and the Republic of Uzbekistan will continue making every effort to implement the existing huge potential of bilateral relations, develop friendly relations on the basis of trust, mutual support and consideration of interests of both countries for the benefit of our nations.”

President of Indonesia Dr H. Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono expressed confidence that friendly relations and bilateral cooperation between Indonesia and Uzbekistan would constantly continue. He also said he hoped the two countries would continue jointly cooperating in the framework of multilateral obligations for the benefit of the two nations.

Pope Benedict XVI also sent his good wishes to the President and the people of Uzbekistan. “I pray that the Lord supports the efforts of every person aimed at creation of the more united society, in which everyone can use the benefits of the economic, social and moral progress, with respect to the fundamental values.”

President of Bosnia and Herzegovina Dr Haris Silajdžić sent his sincere congratulations on behalf of the government of Bosnia and Herzegovina on the occasion of the national holiday of Uzbekistan. He expressed hope that the friendly relations between Uzbekistan and Bosnia and Herzegovina would continue developing for the benefit of the people of the two countries.

President of Germany Christian Wulff, in particular, wrote: “Since Uzbekistan proclaimed independence, close and diverse relations have been established between our countries and citizens. Germany is ready to be a reliable partner in political and economic processes of development of your country in the future.”

“With the signing in April 2010 of a new agreement on use of Termez airport, our governments have renewed special partnership relations in the area of security, which we want to maintain in future.”

Emperor of Japan Akihito wrote: “On the occasion of the Independence Day of the Republic of Uzbekistan, please accept my heartfelt congratulations and sincere wishes of happiness to Your Excellency and prosperity to the people of your country.”

President of India Pratibha Devisingh Patil, in his letter, noted: “Close and friendly relations between India and Uzbekistan are based on common historic and cultural heritage. We highly value our relationship with Uzbekistan. I am confident that our multilateral relations will grow stronger in the future.”

Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh wrote: “Traditionally close and friendly relations between India and Uzbekistan have steadily strengthened. Our cooperation covers many areas. India is committed to further developing our bilateral relations.”

President of Greece Karolos Papoulias said in his letter: “On the occasion of the national holiday of your country, from the name of the Greek people and myself, please accept, Your Excellency, my warmest congratulations and sincere wishes of prosperity to the people of Uzbekistan to you personally.”

President of Bulgaria Georgi Parvanov assured Islam Karimov of his country’s commitment to deepening relations with Uzbekistan and willingness to continue to promote cooperation and between the European Union and Uzbekistan.

Abdullah Gul, President of Turkey, said the feelings of sincerity and brotherhood existing between the two nations were based on common history and culture that had formed for hundreds of years. “I am sure that these feelings of mutual friendship and brotherhood are the guarantee of the most valuable wealth between our two countries – unity and solidarity, as well as free and prosperous future for our peoples.”

“For Turkey, it is of strategic importance to strengthen relations in all fields with Uzbekistan, which is one of the leading states in the region,” Turkish President continued.

“Under your wise leadership, Uzbekistan is contributing to security, stability and peace both in Central Asia and on the international level. In this regard, I am glad to say that we would be very pleased to welcome Your Excellency at the summit of Turkic states to be held in Istanbul on 15-16 September 2010,” Abdullah Gul noted.

President of Iran Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, congratulating President Islam Karimov and the people of Uzbekistan on the occasion of the Independence Day, expressed hope that our joint efforts will provide prosperity for the two states.

President of Singapore Sellapan Ramanathan wrote: “I am confident that under your wise leadership, Uzbekistan will continue its progress. I also hope that Your Excellency and I will continue working together to further strengthen close friendly relations and cooperation between our countries.”

President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon said his country valued “our centuries-old ties of friendship and neighborliness that unite our peoples, and are determined to exert all necessary efforts to harness the rich potential of mutually beneficial cooperation between our countries.”

“I am confident that cooperation between our two countries will continue to steadily grow for the sake of peace, stability and progress,” leader of Tajikistan emphasized.

President of Kyrgyz Republic Roza Otunbayeva, in her letter, noted: “Over the years of independence, Uzbekistan has been consistently implementing its own development model, moving forward on the way of complex political and socioeconomic transformations, and has achieved impressive results, taking a worthy place in the world community.”

She reaffirmed the intent of Kyrgyzstan in further constructive development and expansion of Kyrgyz-Uzbek cooperation on the principles of good neighborliness, mutual respect and openness, and also expressed appreciation to President Karimov for efforts he was taking in this direction.

President of Georgia Mikheil Saakashvili wrote: “I am deeply convinced that the traditionally warm and brotherly relations established between Georgia and the Republic of Uzbekistan will continue to strengthen for the benefit and prosperity of our peoples.”

Acting President of Moldova Mihai Ghimpu expressed confidence that the deepening cooperation between the Republic of Moldova and the Republic of Uzbekistan would create further opportunities for sustainable development of the two states.”

Chairman of the Executive Committee of Palestine Liberation Organization, President of the Palestinian National Authority Mahmoud Abbas sent his most ardent and heartfelt congratulations on the occasion of Independence Day and wishes of happy celebration to the brotherly people of Uzbekistan. “Let this momentous event bring your people kindness, prosperity and stability,” he wrote.

Chairman of the Presidium of the Supreme People’s Assembly of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea Kim Yong Nam, in his letter to Islam Karimov, expressed confidence that friendly relations between the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea and the Republic of Uzbekistan would continue to evolve in the interests of the peoples of our two countries.”

President of the United States of America Barack Obama sent a congratulatory letter to President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov.

In his letter, the US President on behalf of all Americans congratulated the head of the state and all people of Uzbekistan with the Independence Day.

“On 1 September, we welcome the 19th anniversary of Uzbekistan as an independent and sovereign state,” Barack Obama wrote.

“I am confident that our countries will continue to work together to strengthen our bilateral relations in the future,” he added.

“May the celebrations bring happiness to you and the citizens of Uzbekistan,” the US President wished.

Irina Bokova, Director-General of UNESCO, in her congratulatory letter, expressed appreciation of Uzbekistan’s continued participation in the organization’s programs and the country’s significant contribution to consistent implementation of the mandate of the UNESCO, particularly in the field of culture.

“UNESCO began its close cooperation with Uzbekistan in 1993. Bilateral cooperation has increased when in 1998 at the initiative of the Uzbek government, the organization’s Executive Board held a final meeting of the 154th session in Tashkent. At that event, an important resolution on culture of peace called “The Tashkent Declaration” was adopted,” Irina Bokova wrote.

Along with this, she praised “numerous initiatives put forward by Uzbekistan to further promote intercultural dialogue and closer cooperation between the states along the Silk Road”. “It gives me a great pleasure to note that a number of activities aimed at reviving the Silk Road were implemented through projects of the International Institute for Central Asian Studies (IICAS), founded in Samarkand in 1995 as the 2nd-category institute under the UNESCO auspices,” she noted.

“I am confident that under your leadership and personal direction, Uzbekistan will continue to play a dynamic role, in particular, as a leading member of the UNESCO Executive Board, and excellent relations that exist between your country and the organization will find further fruitful development,” Irina Bokova said.

President of Latvia Valdis Zatlers expressed confidence that friendly relations existing between the two countries would continue prospering. He assured the head of Uzbekistan of his highest esteem and made wishes of welfare and prosperity for the people of Uzbekistan.

President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev wrote: “I am convinced that Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, which are linked by common culture and traditions, will always be true to bonds of friendship and good neighborliness while strengthening and developing mutually beneficial cooperation in the interests of the two countries’ peoples.”

President of Afghanistan Hamid Karzai said he warmly welcomed and was sincerely glad that the friendly relations between Afghanistan and Uzbekistan were developing and strengthening day by day.

“Highly appreciating our good and friendly relations with the Republic of Uzbekistan, which are based on principles of good neighborliness and mutual respect, I sincerely wish for their further development in the political, economic and cultural fields,” Hamid Karzai wrote.

President of Mongolia Tsakhiagiin Elbegdorj noted that bilateral friendly relations and mutually beneficial cooperation between Mongolia and Uzbekistan was developing successfully.

“In 2011, we will celebrate the 20th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between our countries. In this regard, I invite you to visit Mongolia at a convenient time for you,” the leader of Mongolia said.

King of Morocco Mohammed VI said he cherished brotherly Islamic ties between the two nations and was striving to continue cooperating with President Karimov to strengthen solidarity and development of bilateral relations for the benefit of the two peoples and the Muslim Ummah.

King of Thailand Bhumibol Adulyadej also sent his sincere congratulations and best wishes of prosperity and happiness, as well as development and prosperity of Uzbekistan and its people.

Governor General of Canada Michaëlle Jean wrote: “This year was marked by confident renewal of friendship between Canada and Uzbekistan. The increase of the number of visits of high-level delegations and close cooperation between our countries within multilateral forums in the recent time indicate deepening of our bilateral relations. Looking ahead to the coming year, I am confident that our relationship will further strengthen.”

President of Slovenia Danilo Türk expressed hope that cooperation between the Republic of Slovenia and the Republic of Uzbekistan would continue to expand and strengthen in the spirit of mutual respect and understanding.

President of Egypt Hosni Mubarak wrote: “It is a great honor for me to send Your Excellency my most sincere and best wishes on the occasion of Independence Day of the Republic of Uzbekistan. Taking this opportunity, I wish Your Excellency strong health and happiness and the brotherly people of Uzbekistan further progress and prosperity.”

Sultan of Oman Qaboos bin Said said in his letter: “On the occasion of Independence Day of the Republic of Uzbekistan, I am pleased to send you, Your Excellency, my sincere congratulations. Taking this opportunity, I wish Your Excellency strong health and success in your work, and the Uzbek people peace and prosperity.”

Emir of Qatar Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani expressed confidence in his letter that “the existing friendly relations between our countries and peoples will continue to grow and strengthen.”

King of Jordan Abdullah II noted: “It gives me great pleasure to extend my sincere congratulations on behalf of the government, the people of Jordan and myself to Your Excellency, the government and the people on Uzbekistan’s national holiday – the Independence Day.”

President of Tunisia Zine El Abidine Ben Ali expressed wish that bonds of brotherhood and cooperation existing between the two countries would see even greater progress and development in the common interest of the brotherly peoples.

Sultan of Brunei Hagey Hassanal Bolkiah also sent congratulations and best wishes to the President, the government and the people of Uzbekistan on the occasion of Independence Day of Uzbekistan. “I look forward to continuing our joint work to strengthen friendly relations between our countries,” he wrote.

President of the Republic of South Africa Jacob Zuma expressed warmest congratulations to the President, the government and the people of Uzbekistan on behalf of the people and the government of South Africa and himself. “I wish Your Excellency good health, as well as further strengthening and close ties of friendship existing between our two countries,” he said.

President of Sri Lanka Mahinda Rajapaksa wrote: “Relations between Sri Lanka and Uzbekistan are developing on the basis of friendship and mutual respect. I am confident that cooperation between our two countries will continue to expand and strengthen for the good of our peoples.”

Dr Ahmad Muhammad Ali, President of the Islamic Development Bank said the IDB appreciated the assistance extended by the Republic of Uzbekistan to the bank. “I ask God to give your country further prosperity and progress,” he noted.