POLITICS
16th ANNIVERSARY OF UZBEKISTAN`S INDEPENDENCE MARKED IN BAKU
Uzbekistan`s Embassy in Baku hosted an official reception Tuesday at the Gulustan Palace to celebrate the 16th anniversary of the country`s independence.
The event was opened by Uzbek Ambassador Ismatilla Ergashev, who said that both Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan have been independent for sixteen years.
The Ambassador stressed the role of Azerbaijani late President Heydar Aliyev and Uzbek President Islam Karimov in strengthening ties between the two countries.
Ergashev also recalled President Ilham Aliyev`s 2004 visit to Tashkent, which he said pushed Uzbekistan-Azerbaijan relations to the level of strategic partnership.
First Deputy Chairman of Azerbaijan Parliament Ziyafat Asgarov congratulated Uzbek people on behalf of President Ilham Aliyev.
Asgarov said the two countries share a centuries-long history of friendly relations.
He stressed the role of reciprocal visits by the two countries` leaders in strengthening bilateral relations.
Among those in attendance at the reception were head of the foreign relations department at the Azerbaijan President`s Administration Novruz Mammadov, members of the Milli Majlis, ministers as well as foreign ambassadors accredited in Baku and other officials.