Uzbekistan, Tashkent, Feb. 20/ Trend T. Zhukov/
Uzbeks and Turkmen are more than neighbors. They are relatives, Orazmurad Kurbanov, chairman of the Turkmen Cultural Center of Uzbekistan told Trend on Feb. 20.
Presently, more than 160,000 Turkmen live in Uzbekistan, the representative of diaspora said. About 51 schools, in which the Turkmen language is taught, operate in Uzbekistan.
"Our authors prepare text books in Uzbekistan, Kurbanov said the day before the Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov's official visit to Tashkent. Books completely correspond to state educational standards. Some of the books are translated. Text books on native language and literature are published specially for diaspora. It is important to note that the Turkmen language also passed to Latin script which certainly simplifies study of the Uzbek language.
Turkmen are the sixth diaspora in Uzbekistan, the State Statistical Committee said.
"Teachers are also well prepared. Teachers of elementary classes for Turkmen schools are prepared in one of colleges in Beruni. Baccalaureate of the Turkmen language opened in the Berdah Karakalpak State University. Approximately 20 boys and girls annually enter the University, chairman of the cultural center said.
Communication with historical motherland is supported via the Association of World Turkmen. Annually 10-15 representatives of Turkmen diaspora visit the festivals held in Ashgabat on the invitation of Turkmen President.
"We have common history and traditions. We are like branches of one tree. We always drink water from one river, Orazmurad Kurbanov said. We glad that relations between two nations entered a new level for the last years. It instills much confidence in near future and serenity for our children. We hope for further strengthening of relations in all spheres.
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