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Address by H.E. President Islam Karimov at the
festive ceremony dedicated to the 18th Anniversary of Independence of
the Republic of Uzbekistan
Assalamu-Alaykum, dear
compatriots!
Distinguished guests!
I sincerely congratulate you all from the bottom of my heart on the
great date in the history of our Homeland – the 18th Anniversary of
Independence of Uzbekistan, and I am happy to express to you and in your
person to our entire nation my highest respect and esteem, as well as my
kind feelings and love.
Dear friends!
It is an open secret that there is no single nation in the world, which
aspired for freedom and liberty, and strove to take its destiny into its
own hands that has ever easily achieved the great and invaluable
blessing of Independence and the goal of getting rid of the chains of
political and economic dependence.
We have realized this everlasting truth in our history and did
experience this.
Eighteen years ago we declared our national independence which had been
longed for by our people through the centuries. Definitely, the current
and forthcoming generations shall never forget that along the path of
striving for our sacred dreams and aspirations our people had endured
numerous deprivations and sufferings, countless scarcities, in a word,
what hard and tough trials they had gone through for over the passed
years.
Today, on the eve of such a great holiday which is truly dear for all of
us, as we summarize the path we have traversed, certainly, it makes us
proud and happy that we chose the way of progress peculiar and
acceptable for us, above all, by leaning upon our own strength, power
and potential and pursuing the long-term objectives. We are also proud
and pleased that we have secured the victories and successes recognized
by the world community, which became possible thanks to the devoted work
of our people, who during these unforgettable years have been
demonstrating the bravery and determination, steadfastness and
magnanimity.
We have to underscore time and again: the life itself confirms in
practice how the model of reforms in building the new society that we
have chosen and consistently and gradually been implementing was right,
particularly, in these days of financial and economic crisis experienced
throughout the world. And we have seen how this model fully meets the
interests of our people.
The striking evidences of this are as follows: the stable growth rates
of our economy and fresh gains that it has made during the recent past
and this year, constant change of our country’s image and its further
flourishing, as well as continuous growth of living standards, salaries
and incomes of our population.
With transformation and progress of the essence, meaning and goals of
our life, we state with great satisfaction the ever growing
consciousness, worldview, way of thinking, political and legal culture
and social activeness of our people, in particular, of our youth, and
the fact that such positive changes create a solid foundation for our
ongoing and future achievements.
For over the past time our experienced, diligent and magnanimous people
have hardened in the tough struggles on the way of gaining the true
independence, defending our sovereignty from various encroachments, as
well as mercenary and evil attempts.
Our people have deeply comprehended the value and price of peaceful and
tranquil life reigning in our Homeland, as well as how important it is
to safeguard and strengthen the interethnic and inter-religious accord
in our region.
In a word, no matter how hard were the difficulties and trials we have
gone through in the recent past, we had bravely endured all of them and
did not turn off the road we chose.
And we will never ever turn back from the path of establishing the
democratic state and civil society, which we set as our goal, building
free, prosperous and flourishing life second to none’s for all people
living on our sacred land.
Dear compatriots!
Today, standing at this high rostrum, allow me to express gratitude to
our friends and brothers, who for over the 18 years have been showing
their benevolence to us, supporting, helping and assisting us, as well
as the states and nations, which have been effectively cooperating with
us, and send our heartfelt greetings and wish happiness and prosperity
to them.
I believe it would also be very expedient through heartfelt applauses to
express our respect and esteem to the ambassadors of foreign states and
representatives of international organizations in our country, as well
as all our dear guests who are sharing our joy at this celebration.
It is my both duty and obligation to express my personal gratitude and
the one on behalf of our people to every fellow countryman and the
esteemed elderly, who have worked selflessly and devotedly to make real
such bright days, who stand as a buttress personally to me and shoulder
the substantial burden of Uzbekistan.
Also, I would like to sincerely greet our dear women and sisters, who
have always been an embodiment of grace and beauty, fidelity and
devotion, who illuminate our lives with the ray of kindness and mercy,
and wish all of them a sound health and happiness, as well as abundance
and blessings to their households.
I congratulate from the bottom of my heart our sons and daughters, who
have gathered today on this broad arena and demonstrate their blossoming
determination and valor, my children – the youth of our country, who are
truly turning into a decisive power of our future, as well as their
teachers and educators.
My dear children, be always worthy of your Homeland, your nation and our
great future!
Once again, I congratulate all of you on the 18th Anniversary of
Independence of our Homeland.
May peace prevail in our country and may our people be safe!
May our Independence be eternal!
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