ANKARA, August 20. /Dunyo IA/.  Former Prime Minister and Speaker of the Grand National Assembly of Türkiye and Chairman of the Council of Elders of the Organization of Turkic States, Binali Yıldırım, on the eve of the 35^th Anniversary of the State Independence of Uzbekistan, extended his sincere congratulations and best wishes to the people of Uzbekistan through Dunyo IA:

- In the coming days, the 35^th Anniversary of Independence will be widely celebrated in brotherly Uzbekistan. On behalf of 86-million-strong Türkiye, we share the joy of this significant day with you. Taking this opportunity, we convey to our Uzbek brothers the greetings, sincere love and heartfelt wishes of the Turkish people.

Uzbekistan, as an important member of the Organization of Turkic States, has achieved immense success in its development in recent years. Each time I visit this country in my capacity as the Chairman of the Council of Elders of the Organization of Turkic States, I witness an entirely new, uniquely distinctive Uzbekistan.

Tashkent, Samarkand, Bukhara, Khiva, Kokand, Andijan, Namangan - everywhere, across all regions of the country, development and unprecedented progress are visible. Significant results have been achieved in recent years across numerous sectors, including investment, economy, industry, defense, culture, art, sports, agriculture, IT and emerging technologies.

Industries such as precious metal mining, natural gas production, the textile industry, automotive manufacturing, and other sectors are developing at a rapid pace. In 2025, the gross domestic product of Uzbekistan grew by 7.7 percent. This represents the highest economic growth rate among the member states of the Organization of Turkic States and is a highly remarkable result not only for the Turkic world but also on a global scale.

Behind these successes stands a strong political will that has ensured the country’s development and rise in recent years. The embodiment of this will is the Honourable President Shavkat Mirziyoyev. The strategic plans and the vision of a New Uzbekistan put forward by him are being realized step by step. We, as brotherly Türkiye and a member of the OTS, experience a profound sense of joy and satisfaction in this regard.

Uzbekistan is the second-largest country by population among the member states of the Organization of Turkic States, following Türkiye. There is another critical factor: Uzbekistan holds a leading position in the Turkic world in terms of its youth demographic share and the potential of its young population. Human resources are paramount, and the youth represent the future.

While some nations possess oil, natural wealth and mineral deposits, these resources are finite and bound by limits. Human potential, however, constitutes the greatest wealth and a vast resource capable of ensuring a nation's development from generation to generation, elevating it to a level that allows for dignified competition with the rest of the world. The young population of Uzbekistan represents a colossal potential for the bright future of the country.

Honourable President Shavkat Mirziyoyev does not limit his focus solely to economic development. Concurrently, he is laying the foundation for the creation of significant and large-scale centers that will demonstrate the civilizational development of the Turkic peoples to the younger generation - from ancient history to the present day.

Development of Bukhara, the Imam Al-Bukhari Complex in Samarkand, and the revitalization and growth of the city of Khiva - all of these contribute to a new unfolding of the great values of Turkic-Islamic civilization. I would particularly like to highlight the Center of Islamic Civilization in Uzbekistan, which is a truly unique institution. There is nothing like it in the world.

In June this year, I participated in the Maqom Festival in Namangan, as well as the international events held under the theme “Andijan – the Cultural Capital of the Turkic World – 2026”. Every visit of mine becomes an opportunity to witness something new. During my latest trip, I was immensely pleased to see the transformations taking place across the Fergana Valley. In Namangan, while listening to the President's address, I once again witnessed his tremendous efforts directed toward the development of art and the restoration of national and spiritual values.

At meetings and events held in Türkiye, I always speak about Uzbekistan and urge everyone: “Be sure to visit our historical homeland – Uzbekistan!” Our youth must travel to Tashkent, Samarkand, Bukhara, Fergana, Namangan and Andijan, and see with their own eyes the rich history and enduring values of this land.

It is particularly essential for every young man and woman in Türkiye to visit the Center of Islamic Civilization in Uzbekistan, established at the initiative of the President. In this majestic center, the history of the Turkic peoples before and after the adoption of Islam is presented in all its grandeur. Modern technologies have been applied here appropriately and skilfully. Without visiting Uzbekistan, it is impossible to understand the Turkic world, its history, and its future.

I always emphasize and urge: we ought to learn respect and reverence for elders from Uzbekistan. This is a treasured country that has successfully preserved the ancient Turkic tradition of the mahalla and the institution of aksakals, passing them down to subsequent generations.

In this regard, as a citizen of Türkiye and the Chairman of the Council of Elders of the Organization of Turkic States, I express my profound gratitude and sincere respect to President Shavkat Mirziyoyev. We are immensely pleased with his efforts aimed at the prosperity and development of Uzbekistan, enhancing the well-being of its people, as well as his brotherly attitude toward the Turkic states.

God willing, we will continue to move forward together, hand in hand and shoulder to shoulder, to become one of the most significant and influential communities in the world for future generations.

Once again, I congratulate the people of Uzbekistan and the President of the country on the 35^th Anniversary of Independence. May your independence be eternal! May peace and prosperity in your country never be overshadowed. May the Almighty continue to guide us all along the path of joint success and development for many years to come.