Shavkat Mirziyoyev congratulates Uzbek people

President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev congratulated the people of the country on May 9 — Remembrance and Honour Day, the presidential press service reported.

“I sincerely congratulate you, dear compatriots, and our entire multinational nation on the blessed holiday of Remembrance and Honour Day and the 81st anniversary of the great victory in World War II.

On this unforgettable day, we first bow our heads in respect before the imperishable memory of our heroic ancestors, who showed unparalleled courage on the battlefields and made a worthy contribution to liberating humanity from the scourge of fascism. We also express our deep respect to the war and labour veterans, elderly fathers and mothers who are living among us today.

We remember with love and respect the brave servicemen and law enforcement officers who sacrificed their lives during the years of independence while defending the inviolability of our country’s borders and protecting the peaceful life of our people,” the congratulatory message reads.

Mirziyoyev also highlighted Uzbekistan’s contribution to the fight against fascism.

“Our people stood alongside all peace-loving nations of the world in the fight against fascism and made a worthy contribution to the great victory. We have every reason to be proud of this. According to historical data, 1.95 million people from our republic, whose population at that time was 6.8 million, took part in the war against fascism. More than half a million of them died on the battlefields, over 158,000 went missing, and more than 60,000 of our compatriots returned disabled. Although many years have passed, these tragic figures still fill our hearts with pain,” the president said.

Mirziyoyev noted that during the war, 214,000 Uzbek soldiers and officers were awarded military orders and medals, while 301 received the highest distinction, the title of Hero of the Soviet Union. Another 70 Uzbeks were awarded the Order of Glory of all three degrees.

“During those fiery years, our people lived day and night in the spirit of great mobilisation under the slogan ‘Everything for the front, everything for victory!’ Uzbekistan became a strong supply base for the front. Our people, who turned humanism into a great value, provided shelter and care to more than 1.5 million people evacuated from war zones, including 250,000 children who had lost their parents and families,” the Uzbek leader said.

The president also said Victory Park in Tashkent and the “Light of Memory” and “Devoted Sons of the Nation” memorial complexes within it are becoming sacred places for the Uzbek people.

“We are carrying out extensive work to deeply study and widely promote the exemplary service of our victorious ancestors in defending the freedom of our homeland and the peace of our people. In particular, Victory Park, built in Tashkent in recent years, and the ‘Light of Memory’ and ‘Devoted Sons of the Nation’ memorial complexes within it are becoming sacred places for our people.

In New Uzbekistan, our work to honour human dignity, including the comprehensive support of war and labour veterans and elderly representatives of the older generation, as well as creating the necessary conditions for their healthy and meaningful lives, is being continued consistently. In this regard, it should be noted that this year, on the occasion of the holiday, World War II participants and disabled veterans received cash awards of 30 million soums. An effective system is also in place to protect the health of war participants, disabled veterans and labour veterans, and to send them to sanatoriums and recreation centres free of charge or on preferential terms.

During these bright holiday days, local administrations, members of the public and youth representatives are visiting the homes of war and labour veterans, as well as the families of servicemen who died while performing their duties during the years of independence, to ask about their wellbeing and show them great respect and honour.

Across the country, remembrance ceremonies, cultural events, meetings of three generations and mass sports competitions are being held under the slogan ‘Duty, Courage, Perseverance!’” the congratulatory message says.

In addition, the Uzbek leader noted that in today’s difficult period, protecting the country’s independence and the peace of the people remains a decisive task.

“Today’s extremely dangerous times require all of us to value even more the atmosphere of peace and stability in our society, as well as friendship and harmony among nations and religious denominations.

Let us never forget that national unity and solidarity are our priceless wealth and the strong foundation of all our achievements and victories.

In the current complex period, preserving the independence of our homeland and the peace of our people, strengthening our economic power and the potential of our Armed Forces, expanding cooperation with the international community, especially neighbouring countries, educating our youth in the spirit of patriotism and protecting them from harmful influences remain decisive tasks for us. I am confident that the school of courage and perseverance of our great ancestors and our people, who made a worthy contribution to raising the banner of victory high across the world 81 years ago, will serve as a source of strength for us in this regard.

Taking this opportunity, we sincerely congratulate the fraternal peoples and all people of goodwill who showed selflessness in eliminating the scourge of fascism on today’s glorious holiday, and wish them sustainable development and prosperity.

I once again sincerely congratulate you, our respected veterans, and our entire nation, and wish you all good health, happiness and success, and peace, tranquillity and prosperity in your homes. May our hardworking and wise people always be safe! May the Almighty support us in our noble deeds! Happy Remembrance and Honour Day to all of us!” the president said.