Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- The Director of International Institute of Central Asia (MICA) Anvar Nasirov emphasized the importance of this event and cordially welcomed dear Tajik friends to hospitable Tashkent, expressing gratitude to them for their support and participation in the conference.

“Today’s forum entitled “The role of the strategic partnership between Uzbekistan and Tajikistan in ensuring the sustainable development of Central Asia” is organized by the efforts of the International Institute of Central Asia and the Center for Strategic Studies under the President of the Republic of Tajikistan.

Prominent scientists of expert-analytical and research institutions, as well as representatives of civil society institutions, university professors and teachers, independent experts from Uzbekistan and Tajikistan are participating in the work of our conference.

This testifies to the great interest of our scientific and public circles in expanding mutual contacts, discussing pressing issues of bilateral cooperation.

The relevance and significance of today’s event is demonstrated by the very time when, thanks to the strong political will and joint efforts of the leaders of our states - respected Shavkat Mirziyoyev and respected Emomali Rahmon - the Uzbek-Tajik centuries-old ties of friendship and good neighborliness, strategic partnership and multifaceted interaction achieved unprecedented progress in all, without exception, directions.

I am especially pleased to note that today we are witnessing active cooperation between the expert and analytical circles of our countries.”

In addition, A. Nasirov noted that this year alone, MICA, together with the Center for Strategic Studies under the President of the Republic of Tajikistan and the National Academy of Sciences of Tajikistan, held four events.

These are the conferences: “New growth points” for further expansion and strengthening of cooperation between the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Republic of Tajikistan”, “Challenges and threats to regional security and ways to solve them: a view from Uzbekistan and Tajikistan”, “The place of Uzbekistan and Tajikistan in a single historical and cultural space Central Asia”, as well as today’s event.

“Today, in a difficult time on the world stage, it is more important than ever for us to unite the forces, capabilities and potentials of our countries as much as possible, to further deepen multifaceted cooperation in every possible way, to implement joint projects and programs in order to pass on our friendship and good neighborliness to future generations.

I hope that our meeting will provide an opportunity to comprehensively and objectively analyze the potential of the strategic partnership between Uzbekistan and Tajikistan. This is especially important on the eve of the official visit of the President of the Republic of Tajikistan to the Republic of Uzbekistan.

I am sure that the successful development of the Uzbek-Tajik partnership is an important component in ensuring peace, stability and security, as well as the sustainable development and prosperity of our countries and all of Central Asia.