Uzbekistan, Tashkent, March 24 / Trend D. Azizov /
Uzbek President Islam Karimov congratulated the Uzbek people on Nowruz during festivities in Tashkent.
"It gives me great pleasure to congratulate sincerely and heartily you, all our people, on this wonderful holiday, and to express my deep respect and sincerest wishes," the president said.
Karimov stressed that Novruz symbolizes the beginning of the New Year in the East. It is an ancient, truly national holiday, he said, and an integral part of the people's spiritual world.
"It is encouraging that all our compatriots, living on Uzbekistan's fertile soil in an atmosphere of harmony and mutual respect, celebrate this wonderful holiday as a united and cohesive multinational family," the president said.
The president stressed that the Uzbek people care for their relatives, friends and the elderly on Novruz.
"Since ancient times, quarrels and insults have been forgotten during Nowruz. Kindness and mercy, love and understanding appear instead. All these we call noble human qualities," he said.
On behalf of the Uzbek people, the president welcomed and expressed respect to foreign guests, ambassadors, foreign missions, international organizations, and partners in near and distant countries, which support the development of the country and participate in the celebrations.