Assalomu-Alaykum, dear fellow countrymen!

Distinguished deputies!

First of all, it is with a great pleasure that I express my sincere greetings to you here today on the concluding session of Oliy Majlis.

Together we have almost passed a five-year period of time.

I believe it is our duty and obligation to express the deepest gratitude to the Almighty for helping us, those on the state?s service, to protect our population from hardships and disasters, at the difficult, unstable and challenging time, and conclude our work that we started in the last century, today on the threshold of the new fifth year of the 21st century.

I may take it for granted that the legislative work of the Parliament and of you, esteemed deputies, not only helps us to deal with our today?s issues, but also it serves as foundation for our prosperous and successful future.

By historic reckoning last five years is not a long period, but it will give us a great pleasure to recall its very special place in the development of our country and milestones of our political, social and economic life.

No doubt, the following historic efforts were realized in Uzbekistan during that period:

-consolidating of political, economic sovereignty and national statehood; -boosting of recognition on international arena; -reviving of cultural heritage, Islamic legacy, national customs and traditions; -establishing of democratic principles and civic institutions; Without bias it was defined in the reports, you having now in your hands, and in the preceding speech on the activity of the Parliament during this term by the Chairman of Oliy Majlis Mr. Erkin Khalilov that your multifaceted work in adopting of 94 laws and 307 decrees will promote positive transformations in our country, broaden its opportunities and potential and serve as a legal foundation for the benefit of the present and future generations.

It is not an exaggeration to say that we can witness an influence, impact and effect of the Parliament in every field of our life.

It is worth to point out particularly Uzbekistan?s fast-growing economy, macroeconomic stability, positive changes in a variety of industries, growing exports, consolidated banking and financial system, implemented large-scale construction projects, and most importantly, rise in peoples real income and life standards.

I think there will be no mistake if we assess all these achievements as the practical outcomes and direct effects in our life of the laws and resolutions adopted by Oliy Majlis since 2000.

While speaking about the activity of the Parliament during this period, it is impossible to neglect the significant role and importance of our laws in providing the peace and security of our country, fighting against such challenges as religious extremism and international terrorism, and protecting the peaceful life of our people.

I believe, today it?s necessary and timely to remember again the calls and statements expressed many times from the high rostrum of Oliy Majlis appealing to not only our people, but also the international community at large for vigilance and awareness, struggling for peace, along with the activity of the Parliament against the international terrorism, organized crime, nonproliferation of weapons of mass destruction and drug trafficking.

It is necessary to particularly underscore that the laws adopted in the sphere of economy, namely on the issues of property ownership, private companies, small businesses and entrepreneurship, liberalization of manufacturing industries, reducing the responsibilities of the state in management and control, limiting its interference into the economic activity of companies, and first of all, into the activity of private companies are serving for the creation of the strong legal foundation and boosting our development.

Taking this opportunity, I would like to put a special emphasis on another issue. It is necessary to stress in particular that regardless of the importance and significance of the issues considered and discussed by our deputies during their deliberations, all adopted laws and resolutions are in line with today?s requirements, meet the international legal standards, are adopted with the vision to our long and continuous future.

Special importance was paid to the protection of human rights and freedoms, ensuring the freedom of speech, in general, making the interests of a person a priority, enrooting democratic values into the minds of our people and, I think, that these dimensions should remain in the center of our attention in the future as well.

It is worth to note that in the process of building a new society, the principle of separation of powers among independent branches, which is the most important prerequisite and symbol of democracy, i.e. the issues of establishing legislative, executive and judicial authorities acting on these standards, became the foundation of the activity of the Parliament.

It is necessary to particularly mention the fact that you, esteemed deputies, have adopted the Laws on courts and public prosecutor aimed at reforming the judiciary system that were supported by our people and the international community. The same is true for a number of legal documents dealing with specialization of criminal and civil litigation, and especially, reviewing the laws and codes and making necessary amendments mitigating the criminal punishments, with consideration of principles of justice in protecting a person, his rights and interests.

Moreover, I feel obliged to mention that the laws and resolutions aimed at profoundly reforming of the agriculture, which is nowadays one of the crucial branches of economy, have served to raise the agriculture to a qualitatively new level, to meet modern standards, to increase its efficiency, and thus to improve the living standards of our population that predominantly lives in rural areas.

In brief, today there are all grounds to state with satisfaction the fact of substantial contribution of our Parliament, I repeat it, of you, dear people?s deputies, into the process of further developing our country, protecting the peace and stability of our Homeland, realizing dreams and hopes of our people during this short time span.

Dear friends!

Today we are all living up with the breath and mood of the elections into the bicameral parliament and local councils to be held on 26th December for the first time in the history of our country.

We all should view this important political event as a process, which puts to test Uzbekistan?s image and prestige in the international arena and before the world community, the extent of compliance of democratic reforms pursued in our country with international standards and requirements.

It is necessary to reiterate that the forthcoming elections, first of all, should be conducted in accordance with constitutional norms and principles, laws and norms on elections, freely, openly and transparently, without any external influence and pressure. They should be unbiased and fair, in other word, manifest voters? free will and aspirations. We all bear responsibility for that.

Seven international conferences and seminars on this issue were held over the last three months with the participation of 29 representatives, prominent scientists and political analysts from democratic countries and international organizations, including the UN, the OSCE, the EU, as well as authoritative American and Asian organizations. This once again proves that we have prepared for the elections in an open, transparent atmosphere.

It must be clear to everyone that we consider the experience of the international community and developed countries to be suitable in our intention to hold truly democratic elections that would meet international standards. In the process of preparing and conducting the elections we would like to accept their critical and at the same time fair remarks and recommendations.

We should demonstrate to the international community that we are not inclined to retire in our shell, complacently pretend that we know everything ourselves, applying a disparaging approach and neglecting others? experience and advice.

In a word, our hopes and aspirations are directed at one goal. It is to conduct in collaboration with international observers the elections on the highest level that would be second to none.

We are all well aware that not only elections are an opportunity for everyone to express his or her free will by voting for an appropriate candidate, but are also above all a fight.

It is natural that representatives of political parties and initiative groups taking part in this political process are to engage in debates and ardent disputes among themselves.

The nature and very essence of democracy demands such a fight and we all well understand this. However, I wish that at the same time those parties coming to the political arena, their leaders and supporters of candidates from initiative groups always remember that our people?s and society?s common interest, national unity and accord are above all.

In this regard, we have the right to expect that such notions as the peace and prosperity of the country, well being of the people that stand at the core of our national idea will become a common aim to all political forces participating in the elections.

Naturally, the political culture and activity of representatives from parties and initiative groups, voters and deputies their respect for and observance of our Constitution and laws should set an example to others and, especially, to the youth.

I believe that someone among you will be blessed to gain electorate?s confidence and become the winner in this fight. Meanwhile, I hope that the Oliy Majlis within its power will continue its extensive work until the formation of the new parliament.

Standing at this highest rostrum, on my own behalf and on behalf of our people I would like to express a deep gratitude to you, dear deputies, for your fruitful work on the course of our homeland?s prosperity and defense, social and economic development of our country. I wish you all sound health, happiness, success and luck in your future activity.