Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) - This point of view was expressed by the expert of the Institute for Strategic and Interregional Studies under the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shakhnoza Kadyrova speaking at the Uzbek-Hungarian online conference of experts on the topic: "Uzbekistan and Hungary: prospects for bilateral and interregional cooperation."

According to Shakhnoza Kadyrova, the development of cooperation in the cultural and humanitarian sphere is of no small importance for Uzbekistan and Hungary. As the ISMI expert emphasized, it is known from history that a number of Hungarian scientists and travelers visited Uzbekistan, studied our culture and history. For example, in the writings of the Hungarian orientalist and scientist Arminius Vamberi there is information about such ancient cities as Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva, as well as a tribute to our great ancestors. In turn, the follower of Vamberi, the Uzbek scientist Iskhak Ibrahim, lived in Budapest for 30 years and worked in the library of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences.

During the meeting, the leaders of Uzbekistan and Hungary confirmed that the countries have great potential for developing partnerships in scientific, cultural and humanitarian areas and agreed to give a new impetus to its development.

In particular, the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Ministry of Human Resources of Hungary signed the Program of Cooperation in the Field of Culture for 2021-2023. Recently, poems by Hungarian writer Arani Yanosh have been reprinted in Uzbek in Uzbekistan.

Moreover, scientists from Uzbekistan and Hungary closely cooperate in carrying out research work on the study of the history and culture of the two countries. To date, close cooperation has been established between the Abu Raikhan Beruni Institute of Oriental Studies of the Academy of Sciences of Uzbekistan and the library of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, which contains unique historical manuscripts of medieval and oriental authors, including those reflecting the cultural heritage of Uzbekistan.

The sphere of education is one of the promising areas of Uzbek-Hungarian cooperation. To maintain the tendency for the development of relations, the parties expressed mutual interest in expanding ties in the field of education, including through direct interuniversity contacts.

The holding of the Forum of Rectors of Higher Educational Institutions of the two countries during the visit is a vivid proof of such cooperation. Within the framework of the forum, the academic circles of the two countries discussed the most promising areas in the exchange of educational programs and personnel training.

In particular, an agreement was signed on the opening of a branch of the Debrecen University of Hungary in Tashkent and the beginning of its work in September of this year. The branch will become the first Hungarian educational institution in Uzbekistan to train specialists in three areas: agriculture, biotechnology and pharmaceuticals.

It should be noted that Debrecen University is one of the five top universities in Hungary, offering a wide range of specialties to more than 30 thousand students, including about 4 thousand international students. The structure of the university includes several joint ventures created with Stanford University, China National Oil and Gas Corporation, Rosatom and Rostec corporations, which reflects its applied focus in teaching students.

Another agreement in this direction was signed with the Eotvos Lorant University on the organization of the study of the Uzbek language at the Hungarian University and the opening of a joint educational master’s program at the Tashkent University of Uzbek Language and Literature.

Speaking about Hungarian education in general, it is worth emphasizing that today the country is one of the leading centers of academic and vocational education in Europe, with a long tradition. Hungary is especially popular for studying sciences in areas such as medicine, veterinary medicine, engineering, pharmaceuticals, agriculture and IT, which are in great demand for the growing economy of Uzbekistan.

The governments of the two states also attach importance to the establishment of direct ties between the regions of Uzbekistan and Hungary. In particular, at present Tashkent and Budapest, Fergana region and the city of Dabash are linked by partnership relations.

In general, the agreements reached during the fruitful negotiations once again emphasize the importance of cultural and humanitarian diplomacy in strengthening relations between Uzbekistan and Hungary. Moreover, mutual understanding and mutual support will not only stimulate the spirit of friendship and mutual respect between the two peoples, but will also contribute to the development and strengthening of strategic partnership relations.