President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev has received the credentials of the newly appointed ambassadors – Ahmad Khalid Elmi of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, Santosh Jha of the Republic of India, Timothy Torlot of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Yoshinori Fujiyama of Japan, and Isabelle Servoz-Gallucci of the French Republic.

The head of our state sincerely congratulated the ambassadors on the start of their diplomatic activities in Uzbekistan and wished them every success in carrying out this honorable and responsible mission.

Covering all walks of public life, extensive reforms in progress in Uzbekistan are indicative of its new development stage, it was noted at the ceremony.

The five-year Actions Strategy is being implemented consistently, in accordance with which this year has been declared in the country as the Year of Active Investments and Social Development. Building on innovative technologies and approaches, modern industrial enterprises and infrastructure facilities are created, while the banking, financial, and tax spheres have been undergoing cardinal reforms.

Uzbekistan's current active and constructive foreign policy is based on the principles of openness, good neighborliness, mutual respect, equality and consideration of each other's interests.

As a result, our country has earned a completely new image as a responsible and reliable international partner.

Consolidation of the relations of friendship, close fraternal bonds and strategic partnership, primarily with its nearest neighbors, has created a fundamentally new political atmosphere in Central Asia.

Interaction with leading international organizations such as the UN, CIS, SCO, OIC has grown. A decision has been made on our country's accession to the Turkic Council.

In his speech, the President of Uzbekistan highlighted the prospects for further development of multifaceted cooperation with countries represented by the newly appointed ambassadors.

Deep satisfaction was expressed with the enhancement of relations of friendship and good neighborliness with Afghanistan.

The intensification of highest-level dialogue between the two countries afforded a potent impetus to the dynamic advancement of the Uzbek-Afghan ties, with great potential for enhancing the bilateral trade, implementing major projects in the fields of energy, transport, logistics and communications, education.

The head of our state praised the current level of the Uzbek-Indian strategic partnership that has been filled with new practical substance following the state visit to India in October 2018 and the highest-level talks at the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit 2019 in January this year.

Joint projects in pharmaceuticals, information technologies and innovation, entrepreneurship are successfully realized. Starting from this academic year, branches of the leading universities of India, Amity and Sharda Universities, have opened their doors in Uzbekistan.

President Shavkat Mirziyoyev noted with satisfaction the significant strengthening of cooperation between Uzbekistan and the UK at various levels.

Agreements are implemented in the oil and gas and chemical industries, geological exploration, finances, innovation technologies, and healthcare. High appreciation received the partnership achieved in the education sector, in particular, the creation of presidential schools in the capital and regions of our country with the participation of Cambridge University.

Uzbekistan attaches great importance to building up its strategic partnership with Japan.

The growing dynamics of cooperation was highlighted with Japanese companies and banks in various fields, including energy, geological prospecting, automotive industry, transport, telecommunications, infrastructure development, science, education, tourism.

Confidence was expressed that the meetings and negotiations at the highest level in Japan due this December will allow the two sides to raise comprehensive, mutually advantageous cooperation to a new level.

The head of our state noted with pleasure that the official visit to France in October 2018 delivered a qualitatively new essence to the multilayered Uzbek-French partnership.

The practical realization of promising projects has begun in the fields of geological study, solar energy, utilities, tourism and other industries. The interest was emphasized in furthering the cooperation in culture and arts, science and technology, healthcare. 

In conclusion, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev expressed confidence that the newly appointed ambassadors, by their energetic diplomatic activities, will make valuable contribution to the consolidation of friendly ties, multifaceted and mutually advantageous cooperation of their nations with Uzbekistan.

In turn, the chiefs of diplomatic missions expressed deep appreciation to the head of our state for the warm welcome and assured that they would make every effort for the dynamic and fruitful development of interstate relations for the benefit of our countries and peoples.

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