Addressing a festive event devoted to Uzbekistan’s independence day, President Islam Karimov has said that there are dangers which pose a threat to humanity. He said that the country should reinforce its might to be able to respond to any threats. He called on people to keep interethnic and interreligious accord in the country like the apple of their eyes. The following is an excerpt from Karimov’s speech broadcast live by Uzbek Television First Channel on 31 August:

Good evening esteemed compatriots and respected guests. Above all, I am happy to congratulate and express my deepest respect to you all, my dears, and the entire population of Uzbekistan on the greatest and the most sacred holiday for all of us, the 16th anniversary of our country’s independence

Respected compatriots. There is no doubt that what we have achieved during the years of independence belongs to all of us and no-one can take them away from us. However, the important and topical issues which are facing us require that we should effectively use our potential, use all our strength and opportunities for our future prosperity in order to implement our noble deeds. To achieve all this, we should pay attention to the following:

First. There should be a critical approach to what we have achieved, we should not be absorbed in them. We should set ourselves long-term plans, above all, raising our people’s living standards should be the main focus of our attention. To achieve this we should ensure the rapid and stable growth of our economy, conduct a strong social policy, support young families and raise the salaries of workers and civil servants, pensions and students’ grants by two, two-and-a-half times in the next three years. This must be our priority task. [Applauds]

Second. We should pay special attention to further liberalizing our political and economic life, expanding the authorities of political parties, social and civil associations, NGOs within the framework of the law, ensuring human rights and freedoms in practice, improving the system of courts and judicial bodies and implementing legal enactments adopted of late.

Third. The present complicated and insecure time requires that we should not forget that there are dangers which pose a threat to humanity. It requires that we should reinforce peace, tranquillity and stability in our country, and we should be vigilant and watchful. It requires that we should always strengthen our might in order to respond to any threats and ensure the inviolability of our borders.

Fourth. To implement our noble deeds and plans we should create more opportunities for our young people whom we trust and rely on.

Fifth. It is important that keeping interethnic, interreligious and international accord like the apple of our eyes, living in cooperation and harmony with our close and distant neighbours, further developing the atmosphere of kindness, care and tolerance in our society should become a key task for everyone.

In this bright evening, let me once again congratulate you on the Independence Day of our motherland. I wish you all health, happiness, abundance to your families. Let the Creator save our motherland, people and all of us from evil eyes and evil deeds. Let our nation and country be safe, our sky be clear and let our independence be eternal.