President Islam Karimov congratulated Victor Yushenko with election to the presidential post of Ukraine on 7 January.

?I am glad to congratulate you with election to the high post of the President of Ukraine,? the message said.

?Taking this opportunity, I would like to express my deep respect to people of Ukraine, which showed unbending character and firm political will to go on the chosen way to strengthen independence, democracy and modernization in the process of difficult elections.?

?I am sure that mutually beneficial cooperation between Uzbekistan and Ukraine, based on traditional partnership relations, will develop further in the interests of the well-being of our nations.?

In his message, the President wished good health and success to Yushenko in his state activity, and peace and development to Ukrainian people.