BRUSSELS, October 21. /Dunyo IA/.  On the occasion of the Uzbek Language Day, Pierre Bastin, a Belgian expert on the history and culture of Central Asia and Turkic countries, extended his congratulations to the people of Uzbekistan in an interview with the Dunyo IA:

- I extend my heartfelt congratulations to all citizens of Uzbekistan on October 21^st – Uzbek Language Day.

As a specialist in Turkic languages, I consider the Uzbek language not only to possess a rich history and cultural heritage, but also to be a vital language that holds particular significance in studying the entire Turkic language family.

Uzbek language shares numerous linguistic features with Kyrgyz, Kazakh, Tatar, Turkmen, Azerbaijani and Turkish. This renders it an essential instrument for comprehending the interconnectedness and historical development of the Turkic languages.

Given that the historical roots of the Turkic languages are inextricably linked with Central Asia, studying the Uzbek language enables a more profound understanding of the history, evolution and distinctive attributes of these languages.

I believe it is important to expand opportunities for studying the Uzbek language in Belgium, France and other European nations by introducing it into university-level curricula and organizing regular language courses.

I congratulate all admirers of the Uzbek language on this holiday and wish for the international prestige of the Uzbek language to rise further, creating new opportunities for its study and instruction in foreign countries.