Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) — President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev congratulated his compatriots on Friendship Day, which is celebrated in the country on 30 July. In his congratulatory message, he noted that representatives of more than 130 nations and nationalities and 16 religious denominations live in the republic in friendship and harmony.
According to the president, 10 regulatory legal acts in the field of interethnic relations have been adopted in the country in recent years, including the Concept of State Policy in this area. The material and technical base of 157 national cultural centers and 46 friendship societies has been strengthened. The educational process in the country's educational institutions is organized in seven languages, television and radio broadcasts are aired in 12 languages, and newspapers and magazines are published in 14 languages.
Mirziyoyev recalled the opening in the capital last year of the Pavilion of National Cultural Centers, which received international recognition, as well as the creation of the "Tolerance Park" on the territory of the "Yangi Uzbekistan" complex and ethnic and tourist villages in Karakalpakstan and the regions.
According to him, nearly 2,000 representatives of different nationalities working in the country in various fields — from civil service to science, culture, and sports — have been awarded state honors.
The president also announced plans to create a professional ensemble called "Dustlik" ("Friendship"), which will include representatives of different nations and nationalities living in Uzbekistan.
Special attention in the address was paid to regional cooperation: Mirziyoyev noted the expansion of opportunities for free mutual travel of citizens with neighboring countries
