“On behalf of the people of Kazakhstan and on my own behalf, accept warm congratulations on the occasion of the national holiday of the Republic of Uzbekistan - Independence Day,” the message said.

“Over the years of independence, the Republic of Uzbekistan has achieved significant results in strengthening the basis of national statehood, improving the welfare of the people, as well as increasing the country’s prestige in the international arena,” the message added.

“Kazakhstan attaches particular importance to strengthening all-round cooperation with fraternal Uzbekistan. I am firmly convinced that the relations of friendship and good-neighborliness between the two states will continue to develop dynamically in the future on the basis of mutual trust and support of our peoples,” Nazarbayev said.

“Dear Shavkat Mirziyoyev, I wish you good health, great successes and inexhaustible energy in your state activities for the benefit of the country and the brotherly people of Uzbekistan - peace and prosperity,” the head of Kazakhstan said.