Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) - Due to the worldwide spread of a new type of coronavirus, this situation has been classified by the World Health Organization as a pandemic. First flaring up in the Chinese city of Wuhan, today this virus has spread widely in Italy, South Korea and Iran.

Maintaining and strengthening close friendly ties with countries of the far and near abroad is one of the priorities of our country’s foreign policy. Therefore, on 11 February, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev signed a decree on sending humanitarian aid to Uzbekistan’s strategic partner, the People’s Republic of China, according to which humanitarian supplies with primary medical supplies were sent to China twice.

The government of Uzbekistan, on behalf of the head of state, in order to strengthen joint actions to prevent the spread of the virus, also decided to send humanitarian assistance to Iran, which requested assistance in obtaining the necessary funds to counter this challenge.

Today, formed by the Ministry of Emergency Situations, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Ministry of Defense together with involved organizations, humanitarian aid with medical supplies was sent from the Islam Karimov International Airport in Tashkent to the Islamic Republic of Iran.

The list of targeted funds included disposable sterile gloves, protective overalls, a special medical uniform and medical masks, medical gauze and alcohol, Rutan hygienic gels and tablets.

“Today, relations between Iran and Uzbekistan are stronger than ever,” says the Iranian Ambassador to our country, Hamid Naiirbodiy. - At present, the world community is undergoing serious tests. In such a situation, mutual assistance and cooperation, good relations between people are even more pronounced. Eastern peoples, who very deeply understand the meaning of the expression “A friend is known in an ore minute,” consider this philosophy of life to be enduring. It should be noted that Uzbekistan was among the first to take a step aimed at maintaining the health of the Iranian people. On behalf of all Iranians, I would like to express gratitude to the President, the government and all Uzbeks for the support provided to us during the difficult period.

A delegation of Uzbekistan headed by the deputy minister for emergency situations went to accompany and deliver the goods to Iran.

It is planned that humanitarian aid will be delivered to Iran’s Mehrabad International Airport. On the way back, a special plane of the Ministry of Defense of Uzbekistan will bring our drivers, Uzbek citizens, temporarily working and studying in this country, to the republic.

It is envisaged that members of the delegation and compatriots returning to Uzbekistan will be placed under special quarantine for 14 days.