President Islam Karimov’s Greeting Address at the Festive Event to Celebrate 22nd Anniversary of Uzbekistan’s Independence

Dear compatriots!

Esteemed guests!

Today, the entire nation, all our people are celebrating, with incredible fervor, the 22nd anniversary of state independence of the Republic of Uzbekistan, which cardinally changed the meaning of our life, our consciousness and the way of thinking, an independence that our forefathers had strived for centuries. I have a tremendous pleasure to congratulate you – respected compatriots, and the entire people of Uzbekistan in your person – sincerely, from the bottom of my heart, on this remarkable date, on the holiday truly greatest, truly dearest for every one of us.

We perceive of independence, its essence and significance primarily as a right. Achievement of independence is precisely an opportunity to fulfill our great and sacred obligation, that is, to command our destinies and the fate of our country on our own, along with its natural, economic and intellectual resources; to mobilize all this startling potential for the good of our people, by thoroughly understanding how great a history, culture and spirituality we have; and to revitalize our ages-old values and faith.

Independence means to be independent of anyone at any time, to secure sustainable growth rates of the economy, consistently boost the wellbeing of the population, and bolster the standing and prestige of our country at the international arena, taking into account our national interests and long-term objectives.

At the same time, independence means building a robust backbone for our future, fostering a mature and comprehensively advanced, independent-thinking, courageous new generation inferior to no one in any thing, a generation capable of continuing our great undertakings.

Today, on this marvelous day, we naturally evaluate the accomplishments we have made for the past twenty two years on our way toward the splendid goals we set – the wide-ranging efforts to build a democratic state and an economy on fundamentally new foundations, the growth in the level and quality of life, and the mounting transformation of our cities and villages, our entire nation, in appearance and in terms of comfort. Tell me, dear friends: would it have been possible to make so important, internationally acknowledged achievements without attaining independence?

The, not an, answer to this question is: No, absolutely no. Independence and independence alone has served as a sturdy, the most potent foundation for us to reach these high accomplishments. I believe in this respect it would be appropriate to ask ourselves as to whom we used to be yesterday and who we have become today.

Perhaps a lot of compatriots still remember that as recently as little more than two decades ago, Uzbekistan found itself in an abyss of extreme socio-economic misery; it was a backward region with a biased, raw-based economic development vector, with an absolute monopoly of cotton production. They recall how low the living conditions of the people were, and all this led our Republic to the verge of disaster.

For a historically brief span of time, our country, as the majority of international observers note, has turned from a land incapable of supporting itself, into a modern, independent and sovereign nation that advances with steady rates, a nation that relies on its own virtue and capacities, that is capable of defending its borders, its peaceful and harmonious life – and this inspires us with a sense of pride.

As an indication of considerable achievements and spectacular accomplishments we have made for the past years, I would like to cite just a few facts and figures that brilliantly reflect our nation’s current potential and development rates.

To date, Uzbekistan’s gross domestic product has grown 3.1 times if compared to figures of the year 2000, and in per capita calculus it has risen 2.6 times. The volume of exports has increased 4.4 times; the nominal wage has multiplied 22 times in comparable prices; the average retiree pension has grown 12.7 times; per capita real incomes have swelled 8.4 times, while the economic growth within the last six years has been exceeding 8 percent. We would barely be mistaken if we suggest that these kinds of indicators are rare today across the entire world.

Our achievements in the past period, including the fuel and energy as well as grain independence, the total self-sufficiency in essential consumer goods, and crucially, the public healthcare (notably, the 3.2 times reduction in maternal mortality and the 3.4 decrease in child mortality, the growth in life expectancy from 66 to 73.5 years) – all this is suggestive of an immense path of growth and development we have passed, of the rising living standards of our people.

Today, with the lapse of time, we come to be convinced time and again of the correctness of the well thought-out strategy of democratic reforms we opted for, acknowledged throughout the world as the Uzbek Model of development that completely meets the interests of our people.

When one speaks of the principal driving force behind our accomplishments, we can say with confidence that today, with our world outlook, consciousness, thinking, attitude to life, to work, to the world surrounding us, we completely differ from ourselves of yesterday, of the 1990s.

Today we are a people with free thought, with confidence in its virtue, with the persistently enhancing political, legal and cultural maturity, with a clear perception of its future, of the things and people it lives and labors for.

We set out a great goal to build a democratic state with a market economy and a civil society, to join the ranks of advanced nations of the planet. And no force can turn us away from this path.

Esteemed compatriots!

In these turbulent and alarming times, when various regions of the globe, including those around us, experience mounting confrontation and armed conflicts, one cannot stay indifferent and unconcerned, and the current realities require that we be more vigilant and attentive, prepared to curb any attempts posing threat to our national security. We consider our most critical priority to consolidate the truly invaluable wealth, namely, the reigning atmosphere of friendship, interethnic and civic harmony, kindness and compassion; to build up mutual-respectful cooperation with countries located both near and far away.

I would like, from this point of view, that the principle “We need peace and harmony” that has been deeply absorbed in the flesh and blood of our people become the most pressing task for every one of us.

Dear friends!

Let me take this opportunity to express my sincerest and kindest wishes to the ambassadors of foreign nations and representatives of international organizations and all esteemed guests who are present at this occasion and share our joy.

At these unforgettable moments, I deem it my duty to express my deepest respect and bow before our hard-working and magnanimous nation who has seen much in its lifetime, who has become hardened amid tests, and who has today been writing down bright pages into its ages-old history, who displays genuine self-sacrifice to secure the prosperity of the current and future life of Uzbekistan.

Addressing our sons and daughters – my children, our hope and support – who have filled this magnificent square, I would like to say: On our way toward the gracious goal of building a country with a great future, I rely first and foremost on you – the brave and initiative-prone youth, a healthy and extensively advanced generation that aspires to conquer summits in science and knowledge, that which is capable of overcoming any obscurities, and that which has been turning into a decisive force in our country.

Anywhere I go, be it an official ceremony or a forum, when I meet you, the representatives of the younger generation, when I look into your eyes that shine with enthusiasm, when I look at you full of power and energy, my heart gets overfilled with a sense of infinite delight and pride. I earnestly love you all and I am prepared to devote my entire self for you, for your happiness and future.

May you always be in heights, my dear children!

Respected compatriots, dear friends!

This dazzling and blissful evening, by mentally embracing you all, I sincerely congratulate you time and again on the greatest holiday – the Independence Day of our native Uzbekistan!

I wish you a sound health, happiness and the best of luck, affluence and wellbeing to your families.

May the Almighty keep our people and our country from any misfortunes and nuisances!

May the sky above our Motherland always be clear! May our independence be eternal!

A Sacred Memory of Ancestors

Extensive endeavors have been directed under the leadership of President Islam Karimov at reviving the names of ancestors who sacrificed their lives for the freedom of our Motherland. The memory of them has been eternalized. The building of Shahidlar Khotirasi Memorial Complex in the capital Tashkent and the announcement of August 31 as the Day of Tribute to Repression Victims reflect the expression of deep respect and reverence toward the memories of true sons of our people.

As the tradition goes, the Shahidlar Khotirasi Memorial Complex hosted events in the early hours of 31 August in homage to the memories of our compatriots who fell for the freedom and independence of our native land. President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov took part in these events.

Visiting these kinds of sacrosanct sites, remembering our compatriots who sacrificed their lives for the liberty of the people, we understand the price of the tests and heavy losses paid for the achievement of independence of our land and the current peaceful and prosperous life in the country. In these moments, we even deeper understand the greatest significance of the independence we attained, an accomplishment our forefathers had dreamt of for centuries.

During a meeting with religious figures and representatives of the public, the head of our state offered his opinion of the socio-political processes underway currently in the country and the world, and outlined important objectives we should address in regard with these circumstances.

We all are well aware of the immense works undertaken during independence years to revitalize our national values and distinctive identity. However, the swiftly changing life, the challenges and requirements of the time have been tasking us with the mounting number of new assignments. Issues relating to nurturing a younger generation in the spirit of adherence to national and universal values, hindering it from destructive ideas alien to our mentality have been growing in urgency, Islam Karimov noted.

We should never forget that the key goal pursued by those who further their selfish interests and push forward such vicious ideas is to turn young people who still lack a sufficient life experience and a firm socio-political stance from the rightful path and use them to materialize their disparaging intentions, the head of our state pointed out.

Later that day, President Islam Karimov traveled to the Mustaqillik Square and laid wreath to the monument of Independence and Humanism, a symbol of our freedom, bright future and noble aspirations.

Headdresses to the monument were laid also on behalf of both houses of the Oliy Majlis, the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan, as well as ministries and other government agencies and the general public of the country.

(Source: Press Service of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan)

Securing Human Interests Our Principal Goal President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov reviewed the creative and construction works underway in the city of Tashkent on August 29.

These days, our nation lives in a special, elated mood on the eve of the 22nd anniversary of its independence. New industrial enterprises, education and healthcare institutions, cultural and sporting facilities, trade complexes, residential houses, roads, bridges are being built. It has come to be a good tradition to commission new such facilities on the eve of the greatest, the dearest holiday – the Independence Day. Numerous new buildings have been constructed across all the regions of our country, including its capital city.

President Islam Karimov reviewed August 29 such facilities in Tashkent.

The head of our state traveled to the metropolitan Khadra Square. Wide-ranging creative works have been active in Tashkent under the leadership of the President of our nation. The city has been renovating, preserving its historical appearance. Modern buildings, residential houses, social facilities, roads and bridges are being erected; shady parks, gardens and alleys are being laid out.

Such spectacular facilities and architectural complexes, built on the organic combination of the best traditions of the national architecture art and the rigorous requirements of contemporary urban planning, as the Mustaqillik Square, the Uzbekiston Palace of International Forums, the Marifat Markazi Center that comprises the Palace of Symposiums and the Alisher Navoi National Library, the Hastimam Complex, the Amir Temur Square, Bunyodkor Sports Complex – all of those constitute bright example of the endeavors in progress on this front. The Khadra Square is one Tashkent’s historic centers. It is a point where Navoi Avenue and Furkat, Zarkaynar, Sebzar streets intersect.

Nearby are the Tashkent State Circus, various agencies and organizations, malls, and apartment buildings. The square is always crowded with people and the streets endure intensive traffic.

In order to create even more convenience for the public and optimize transport flows, this place has undergone wide-scale construction and repair works. The underground motor road linking Furkat Street with Zarkaynar and Sebzar streets has been reconstructed. A 46-meter long underground passageway has been built at Navoi Avenue. The 82-meter long sidewalk on Furkat Street has been revamped.

Reviewing this structure, the President of Uzbekistan noted that during engineering and construction works of such major facilities it is imperative to take into account the climatic peculiarities of the city and make a rational use of its relief.

These factors were not taken into consideration when the underground motor road at the intersection of Navoi and Furkat streets, and multistoried residential houses adjacent to the Khadra Square were built in the 1980s, leading to a whole set of difficulties. A major part of this area was covered with asphalt and concrete – a discrepancy with climatic conditions in our land. Because of the intimate proximity that these buildings were erected in relation to the roads, there has barely been a possibility to even plant trees.

To improve the living environment for the residents of these high-rise buildings, to create opportunities for their leisure, and provide for a microclimate, an imposing fountain has been built at the Khadra Square. The stream of fountain water flies up to 12 meters, and it runs over a multicolor illumination in the night.

“During the consistently undertaken construction and beautification works, a special attention should always be paid to ensuring the interests of people,” Islam Karimov said. “It is essential to create all the comfort for life, work, relaxation and cultural leisure for the population.”

The efforts designed to expand green areas along the streets and in squares and parks serve this very goal. As a result of transplanting such air-cleaning trees as chestnut, pine, spruce, birch, as well as a great diversity of flowers, our capital has been turning increasingly fabulous in appearance and a comfortable place to live. This is suggestive also by the fact that in accordance with a rating announced in 2012 by the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) of the prominent British periodical Economist, Tashkent is ranked 58th among the cities of the world most conducive for living.

As a result of construction and repair works spearheaded at the Khadra Square, another tourist attraction has emerged in the capital. Asphalt cover has been removed from the part of the square adjacent to Navoi Avenue, giving way to a grass plot with decorative trees and flower seedlings. Children’s playgrounds have been erected.

According to President Islam Karimov, it is necessary to take into account not only the current realities, but also the interests of future generations in constructing buildings, roads and other infrastructure facilities.

The modern buildings, roads, bridges erected, squares and parks created across the nation and in the capital in particular, epitomize these very gracious goals.

As the head of state stressed, all the buildings and facilities are being constructed by us with our own knowledge, intellect, prowess and potential. In the meanwhile, we should always remember the words of our great ancestor Amir Temur, who used to say that if one wills to assess our might, he ought to take a look at edifices we have built. The leader of our nation offered essential recommendations to further refine the appearance of the Khadra Square, to fashion even more conveniences for the locals, primarily children, to spend their leisure time, to beautify and arrange green spaces, improve fountains by making use of cutting-edge technologies.

Later the day, Islam Karimov familiarized himself with the activities of the reconstructed Foundry Mechanical Engineering Plant of the Uzbekiston Temir Yollari State Stock Railway Company.

The wide-ranging reforms in progress under the leadership of the President of our country across all sectors of economy have been yielding remarkable effects. Inter-sector cooperation of manufacturing enterprises has been enhancing, along with the introduction of state-of-the-art machinery and technologies to the production process and the steadfast advancement of transport and communications infrastructure.

The cardinally replenished Foundry Mechanical Engineering Plant that has launched a new foundry line is a telling outcome of the consistent reforms being marshaled in Uzbekistan to shore up the railway networks.

As part of the project “Modernization of Diesel-Powered Locomotive Rolling Stock”, the enterprise was transferred to the possession of Uzbekistan Railways. Major part of the foundry goods produced in our country is generated in this very factory. The plant currently employs 1,270 specialists.

In accordance with the presidential resolution approved in June 2012 on measures to implement a project on the development of repair base for freight coaches, to organize carriage production and reconstruction of foundry at the Foundry Mechanical Engineering Plant, a scheme worth 150 million US dollars has been realized that started last year. It was implemented thanks to a loan of 48.8 million dollars allocated from Uzbekistan’s Fund for Reconstruction and Development and the resources of Uzbekistan Railways SSRC. The plant is outfitted with the latest equipment and technologies from German companies like Kunkel Wagner, Otto Junker and Nederman. Noteworthy as it is, these next-generation technologies installed as part of project on the new foundry line of the factory are unique to Central Asia. Crucially, the modernization of the new foundry line allows for saving electric power to a considerable extent.

The significance of this project is added up by the production of several types of import substituting spare parts that is established at the enterprise itself. 167 types of foundry produce are localized to date at this plant with a capacity of 26.5 thousand tons of foundry goods a year. This allows for 15 million US dollars to be saved every year. The scheme facilitates foundry for localized production of more than 15 thousand tons of steel, in excess of 10 thousand tons of cast iron and 500 tons of nonferrous metals per annum, along with the manufacturing of 1,200 new train coaches, production of 950 large-capacity containers and the repair of 1,500 freight carriages. The mill has launched production of essential components not merely for industrial sectors of the railway sphere, but also for leading machine-building manufacturers of the country. The production of new types of freight carriages has been launched in 2012.

The establishment of new types of production at the enterprise has included the cargo coaches undergoing cardinal overhaul and modernization, new such carriages manufactured, along with the foundry of cast iron, metal and nonferrous materials, production of spare parts for rolling stock and railroad bed as well as nonconventional metallic hardware.

The prime cost of the manufactured goods is projected to be reduced in the future by satisfying the demand in the foundry produce by other industrial sectors of the nation. The plant capacity is envisioned to be increased in the construction of freight coaches for up to 3 thousand a year and the team expects to launch production of other types of train carriages.

Reviewing the conditions created here, the head of our state drew a particular attention to the magnitude of using cutting-edge machines and technologies in the production process.

“Today, the preservation of clean environment is of critical importance,” the President put it emphatically. “Thus, it is imperative that we effectively use environmentally clean and quality technologies in the production cycle. Once there were a lot of those who doubted Uzbekistan’s ability to grasp machine building and metalworking spheres. Only those peoples who are confident in their future are capable of achieving a prosperous life. In Uzbekistan, it is not only mechanical engineering and metalworking that are advancing dynamically today, but also the railway industry, causing admiration in everyone.”

Metalwork is believed to be one of the most advanced sectors of the heavy industry. As a nation who has secured its economic independence, Uzbekistan has succeeded in grasping also this segment of heavy industry owing to its own capacities and potential, notwithstanding the economic crisis ongoing in the world.

The Foundry Mechanical Engineering Plant comprises multi-sector divisions such as ones for coach building, for coach assembly, for rough stock and integration, machine-assembly, foundry, iron-pressing, instrument making, overhaul and integration, machine-repairing, wood reprocessing, transporting, compressor, oxygen, energy, as well as departments for repairing automobile equipment. The factory has its own internal railroad exceeding 5 kilometers.

The new metal-foundry department and other divisions of the enterprise boast unique hydraulic-pressing and drilling lathes that offer capacities for the production of carriages and overhaul of complicated machines and equipment.

During conversation with young specialists, the President of the country noted that today, the youths of Uzbekistan stir admiration of many also abroad with their intellectual potential, abilities and talent, goal-mindedness and initiative-driven nature. “I am pretty glad to see smart, erudite and goal-minded young men and women who grasp modern machines and technologies with ease,” the head of state pointed out. “Without any doubt, one can purchase any equipment and technologies. But it is impossible to buy a profession and skills, abilities and gift. Every young specialist should feel the tremendous responsibility and ask themselves: Am I prepared to manage modern machines and technologies? That our youth are making use of these technologies is our greatest achievement.” The creative and beautification works undertaken is going to serve for boosting the prosperity and the living standards of our nation and the steadfast advancement of our country’s economy.

(Source: Press Service of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan)