ANKARA, August 8. /Dunyo IA/. Halit Hamzaoglu, Associate Professor at a Turkish university and an expert on the Turkic world, conveyed his sincere congratulations and best wishes through Dunyo IA on the occasion of the 35th anniversary of Uzbekistan’s state independence:

– Today, on this momentous occasion, I would like to emphasize one important truth. Thirty-five years ago, when our brotherly Uzbekistan gained independence, we, the Turks of Anatolia, were immensely happy. I was still young at the time, but I clearly remember viewing this event as our own victory. We sincerely rejoiced that the brotherly and friendly Uzbek people had achieved independence. Uzbekistan and Turkey are connected not only by a shared history, but also by deep spiritual ties. Therefore, we wholeheartedly congratulate the brotherly Uzbek people on this great holiday. On this significant day, we share your joy and celebrate this occasion together with you.

For me personally, as someone who sincerely loves Uzbekistan and has devoted my academic research to the country, this day is particularly joyful.

Over the 35 years of independence, Uzbekistan has made an impressive journey of development. Above all, independence itself is an invaluable achievement. Particularly over the past decade, under the leadership of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, the country has carried out large-scale reforms and transformations.

Most importantly, in this new era, Uzbekistan has strengthened an atmosphere of peace, trust and good-neighborly relations throughout Central Asia. Relations with neighboring states have reached a qualitatively new level. In particular, issues concerning the state borders with Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan, which had remained complex regional problems for many years, have been resolved. Under the leadership of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, these issues were successfully settled. This is an outstanding diplomatic achievement that has already become part of history. In this regard, President Mirziyoyev has written his name in golden letters in the history of world diplomacy.

There is another important aspect. Uzbekistan is located at the very heart of Eurasia. Therefore, the country’s further strengthening and development is of immense importance not only for Uzbekistan itself, but also for the whole of Central Asia, the Turkic world and Türkiye.

Today, we observe with great respect and pride the reforms being carried out by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev. The scale of these transformations is so significant that they have already been described in international academic literature as the ‘Third Renaissance.’ This concept symbolizes Uzbekistan’s dignified return to the world stage and to world history.

During the presidency of Shavkat Mirziyoyev, significant progress has been achieved in virtually every sphere — from education and diplomacy to foreign policy and the economy. Today, Uzbekistan has become a key subject of international academic research, conferences and symposia. Around the world, the country’s achievements under the leadership of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev are being followed with great interest and respect.

From Türkiye’s perspective, Uzbekistan is a country of exceptional importance to Turkic civilization and our shared history. Of particular significance is the fact that the Republic of Türkiye was the first country to recognize Uzbekistan’s independence, on December 16, 1991.

In recent years, the sincere and friendly relations between President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan have reached an unprecedentedly high level. Regular official visits are being exchanged. Within the Organization of Turkic States, the two countries also cooperate closely and coordinate their positions on a broad range of issues. Such cooperation contributes to jointly addressing not only regional, but also international challenges.

Today, Uzbekistan is recognized as a respected and influential state in the system of international relations. This is viewed with great satisfaction in Türkiye. Mutual support between the two countries continues to strengthen within the United Nations and other international organizations.

Economy and trade occupy an important place in Uzbek-Turkish relations. Equally significant are issues of transport connectivity and logistics. Thanks to its geographic location at the heart of Eurasia, Uzbekistan is assuming an increasingly important role in the development of international transport corridors. In particular, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev has paid special attention in recent years to the development of the Middle Corridor, opening up new prospects for cooperation in this area.

The main objective of Türkiye and Uzbekistan is to strengthen peace, stability, prosperity, economic development and connectivity. President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and President Shavkat Mirziyoyev are working to establish a broad belt of peace across the region — stretching from Tashkent to Istanbul and onward to Europe — creating a space of stability and mutually beneficial cooperation.

Most importantly, the friendship between our peoples is growing ever stronger. We are two brotherly states, and this is an undeniable fact. People-to-people contacts are actively expanding, while the linguistic affinity between our peoples makes communication easy, sincere and natural.

Taking this opportunity, I would once again like to extend my heartfelt congratulations to the brotherly Uzbek people on this significant occasion. I sincerely wish Uzbekistan further great achievements, as well as peace, stability, prosperity and continued development.