President Shavkat Mirziyoyev wholeheartedly congratulated all the people of Uzbekistan on Friendship Day, celebrated on July 30, reports “Dunyo” IA correspondent.

“Truly, the preservation of interethnic harmony and friendship in the country based on the noble principle “Uzbekistan our common home” is the greatest wealth and achievement of our multinational people in the years of independence”, the Head of the state said.

Peace and harmony reigning in society serve as the basis and decisive factor for all success, both in foreign and domestic policy and in the economic, cultural and humanitarian spheres.

“Today, we are all witnesses to the fact that in the current era of globalization, such challenges as fierce competition, armed conflicts, the struggle for the consciousness and minds of people, especially young people, terrorism, extremism, separatism, human trafficking, are becoming increasingly acute”, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev said.

The President noted that all of us are concerned about the growing challenges due to the economic crisis and especially the pandemic, which pose a threat to such sacred values as mutual respect, friendship, kindness and mercy.

We are well aware of how important it is in such a difficult time to be constantly vigilant, attentive, to preserve stability as an invaluable asset, to further strengthen the spirit of a large and united multinational family in society.

The Head of the state expressed his conviction that Friendship Day, which is celebrated in Uzbekistan for the second time, having become a good tradition, will take an important place in ensuring harmony, mutual understanding and solidarity among people.

As is known, representatives of more than 130 nations and nationalities, 16 religious denominations live side by side in Uzbekistan, education in institutions is conducted in 7 languages – Uzbek, Karakalpak, Russian, Tajik, Kazakh, Kyrgyz and Turkmen. It is noteworthy that the state fully provides schoolchildren with textbooks and fiction in their native language.

The establishment of an atmosphere of interethnic harmony and religious tolerance in society is defined as a priority goal of fundamental reforms provided for by the Development Strategy of New Uzbekistan and aimed at ensuring the protection of honor and dignity, rights, freedoms and interests of a person.

Friendship Houses have been created in all regions, their activities are fully supported. The Public Fund under the Oliy Majlis directs the necessary funds in the form of subsidies and grants.

The material and technical base of national cultural centers has been improved. The state provides them with comprehensive support.

A reflection of the will and aspirations of our people was the restoration and strengthening of centuries-old bonds of friendship with neighboring countries in Central Asia.

And this year, a group of our compatriots, who are making a great contribution to the development of the country and improving the well-being of the people, have been awarded high titles, orders and medals.

The President, on his behalf and behalf of the entire people, congratulated them on the high awards of the Motherland, wished them good health, inexhaustible energy and family well-being.

“We all have one Motherland. We are the children of our native Uzbekistan. We, representatives of all nations living on this sacred land, have one past and present, one destiny.

We are united by a common great goal. This is peace in the country, the prosperity of the Motherland and the well-being of the people.

Each of our compatriots who lives and works in the name of such a noble goal will certainly be able to fulfill their cherished dreams. Our state and society are mobilizing all forces and opportunities for this”, the President emphasized.