President of the Republic of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon sent a congratulatory telegram to the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov, which reads, in particular:

"Dear Islam Abduganievich,

Independence Day of the Republic of Uzbekistan gives me a pleasant opportunity to congratulate you and the people of Uzbekistan on this momentous occasion.

Tajikistan that places strengthening of regional cooperation among its main foreign policy priorities relations with Uzbekistan are of particular importance.

We are committed to the closest cooperation, based on the common interests of regional security, stability and creation of conditions for sustainable development of the two countries and the welfare of our peoples.

Relying on strong historical traditions of friendship, we intend to fully involve all the existing potential for the further strengthening of good-neighborliness and mutually beneficial cooperation. This, of course, meets the vital interests of not only our peoples and states, but also the Central Asian region as a whole. I am confident that your upcoming visit to Tajikistan to attend the SCO summit will give impetus to this process.

Availing this opportunity, I wish you, dear Islam Abduganievich, health, happiness and new achievements for the strengthening of our bilateral relations, and the friendly people of Uzbekistan - peace, well-being and prosperity".