Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- The main topic of today’s conference is the exchange of views on the current state and huge prospects for the development of centuries-old and truly fraternal Uzbek-Tajik relations, on the large-scale positive changes achieved under the leadership of the Leaders of our states, which the peoples of the two countries are already really feeling, as well as what impact the strategic partnership between Uzbekistan and Tajikistan has on the Central Asian region.

One of the priorities of Uzbekistan’s foreign policy is to strengthen cooperation with fraternal Tajikistan, relations with which are based on deep historical roots, commonality and closeness of national traditions, religion and culture.

This year marks the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between our countries.

However, our relationship is measured in millennia.

Of course, the established open and trusting dialogue between the respected Shavkat Mirziyoyev and the respected Emomali Rahmon became the basis for strengthening the multifaceted Uzbek-Tajik strategic partnership at the present stage. Evidence of this is that one of the first foreign visits of the Leader of our country took place in Tajikistan in March 2018.

The results of this important milestone event have created a solid foundation for realizing the huge potential of the parties in the political, trade, economic, transport and communication, cultural and humanitarian spheres.

Today, almost all issues of bilateral relations have been removed - border issues have been resolved, the visa regime has been canceled, full-scale operation of checkpoints has been resumed, bilateral transport and communication ties have been restored, issues in the areas of security and defense, the joint use of water and energy resources have been resolved, and close interregional ties have been established. , cultural and humanitarian cooperation received a new breath.

Thanks to the efforts of the Leaders of our countries, and clearly set by them the tasks of increasing the volume of trade, over the past five years, the dynamics of trade and economic relations between Uzbekistan and Tajikistan has significantly increased. Mutual trade has grown by 35% since the beginning of this year alone.

The number of joint ventures has increased significantly. Today there are more than 300, and this figure changes almost every day.

A landmark event was the creation of the Uzbek-Tajik investment company, which was launched personally by Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Emomali Rahmon in 2021.

Cooperation is successfully developing in the agro-industrial complex, light industry and other sectors.

Trading houses operate in our countries, which represent different sectors of the economy of Uzbekistan and Tajikistan.

Issues of effective cooperation in the use of water and energy potential deserve special attention.

The pragmatic approaches of our countries in this important area have contributed to the strengthening of mutual understanding and the achievement of practical agreements. Last year, the heads of state agreed on the joint construction of two hydroelectric power stations on the Zarafshan River.

There is no doubt that the constructive cooperation between Uzbekistan and Tajikistan in the water and energy sector, environmental issues and environmental protection will certainly serve as one of the fundamental factors for sustainable development throughout Central Asia.

I would like to note with satisfaction that we are building up cooperation on these issues on international platforms as well.

Our countries co-sponsored a number of United Nations resolutions aimed at overcoming the consequences of the drying up of the Aral Sea, as well as those related to the use of water resources and the conservation of glaciers.

Separately, I would like to note the growing dynamics of our cultural and humanitarian ties.

We are glad that the good tradition of holding mutual Days of Culture and Cinema, joint concerts, exhibitions and conferences has been revived. There is an active youth and tourist exchange.

A film about the legendary friendship between our great poets and thinkers, Alisher Navoi and Abdurakhmon Jami, will soon see the light of day, created by the best masters of Uzbek and Tajik cinematography.

Today, opening up to the world, Uzbekistan is pushing other countries to take a fresh look at Central Asia, to maximize the potential of regional cooperation.

The most striking example is the initiative of the President of Uzbekistan to hold Consultative meetings of the leaders of the countries of the region. On this platform, our states have a good opportunity to independently, without third-party interference and mediation, discuss and develop ways to solve pressing regional problems.

It’s no secret that the trends in the development of today’s global geopolitical processes, the observed turbulence in modern political processes, will directly affect our countries and our region.

Moreover, being integrated into the political and economic processes of our time, we will increasingly feel any changes in the dynamics of the global world.

Under these conditions, we need to pay special attention to the assessment of new challenges and threats generated by these phenomena.

At the same time, I would like to note that we have all potential opportunities to strengthen cooperation in the Central Asian region.

Today, thanks to the firm political will and wisdom of the leaders of our countries, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan have demonstrated a model of cooperation, thereby strengthening the chances of Central Asia to become a respectable region well integrated into the modern global world.

Today, all conditions are being created for the formation of a reliable belt of good neighborliness in Central Asia.

We can firmly say that our strategic partnership is based on a simple principle - our own well-being can only be achieved with the favorable development of our neighbors.

In realizing these important goals and achieving the desired results as soon as possible, we count on the fraternal support of our Tajik partners.

Our countries have a large untapped potential in the development of closer cooperation between the two economies, incl. implementation of large infrastructure projects, processing of agricultural products, creation of joint clusters for the production of finished products with high added value and their export to third countries.

Tashkent and Dushanbe have enough points of contact to claim the role of drivers of regional cooperation in the future while maintaining and further developing active political and economic cooperation.

Strengthening cooperation between Uzbekistan and Tajikistan, in fact, can play an important role for the sustainable development of the Central Asian region.

It should be emphasized that our meeting is taking place on the eve of an important political event - the official visit of the President of the Republic of Tajikistan, esteemed Emomali Rahmon, to the Republic of Uzbekistan

I am sure that today, within the framework of our conference, the leading experts of the two countries will exchange their vision of further strengthening the multifaceted strategic partnership between Uzbekistan and Tajikistan, which, undoubtedly, taking into account the potential of our states, has a significant impact on ensuring the prosperity of the entire Central Asian region.

I hope that our conference will act as a platform for an open and constructive exchange of views, with the prospect of making it a regular one, and will also contribute to the development of practical proposals for the joint work of the expert community of Uzbekistan and Tajikistan.

We are ready for further scientific cooperation with our respected Tajik partners - think tanks, experts and specialists.

I wish all participants of the international scientific forum fruitful work and good results!

I would like to conclude my speech with the words of our esteemed President Shavkat Miromonovich Mirziyoyev:

“The Uzbek and Tajik peoples are like two branches of the same tree, two tributaries of the same river. We have one religion, common land and water. We are together in joy and sorrow, united by a common destiny.

Continuing the good traditions of our ancestors, we must strengthen and protect the friendship of our peoples.”

Anvar Nasirov,

Director of International Institute of Central Asia