“I want to emphasize that in recent years the parties have attached great importance to cultural-humanitarian ties, which create a favorable background for the development of relations in other spheres. In Uzbekistan, active efforts are being made to strengthen cultural-humanitarian ties. Branches of 15 leading Russian universities operate in the country, centers for the study of the Russian language are being created, and all-round support is provided to cultural centers. Thus, all conditions are created for the mutual enrichment of our cultures and cooperation in these areas,” he said in an interview with the “Russia 24” TV channel. 

The Foreign Minister noted that Uzbekistan received with great interest the proposal of the President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin at a recent meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the CIS member states to declare 2023 “Russian as a language of interethnic communication in the CIS”. 

“In this regard, Uzbekistan has a great historical experience. For example, in the 70s, a huge forum was held in Tashkent with the participation of representatives of scientific-academic circles “Russian language is the language of friendship and cooperation of peoples”. In this regard, we have a certain experience, our own developments, methodological approaches to hold such events. We will gladly take part in the proposed events,” Kamilov said.

He also stressed that relations between the countries today have an important strategic direction related to the problems of national and regional security.

“This is also a confirmation of the high level of mutual trust. In a word, our ties have reached a completely new level. In practical terms, our relations of strategic partnership and alliance are filled with concrete content,” the minister concluded.