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President of Russia Vladimir Putin: Colleagues, friends,

It is my sincere pleasure to present this high state award of Russia, the Order of Alexander Nevsky, to President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev.

This order is awarded to foreign leaders for major contributions to promoting friendly ties with Russia. And you, Mr Mirziyoyev, deserve this prestigious Russian award more than anyone.

We have long known you as a strong believer in developing the closest possible relations with Russia on the basis of partnership and true friendship. It is largely thanks to your personal attention that bilateral relations are successfully developing in all areas: politics, economics, science and culture.

With your support, a lot of basic bilateral documents and agreements have been developed and adopted, such as the declaration on comprehensive strategic partnership that we have approved today. Of course, this essential document will bring bilateral relations to an entirely new level, which have always been based on the principles of equality and mutual trust, and do not depend on the current global political situation and external pressure.

More than once I was personally shown the cordiality and hospitality of the Uzbek people. And during this visit, I would like to once again thank you for the warm welcome extended to the Russian delegation.

There is an engraving on a building in the historical part of Samarkand, “There can be no peace except in harmony; there can be no friendship except in fidelity.” I am sure that relations between Russia and Uzbekistan, guided by these wise words, will continue to develop in the spirit of sincere friendship for peace and stability in the region, and the prosperity and well-being of our nations.

Mr Mirziyoyev, my friend,

I congratulate you on receiving the Order of Alexander Nevsky and wish you good health, further success, and all the best in your noble mission in the name of serving Uzbekistan and its people, as well as in the name of promoting friendship and harmony between Uzbekistan and Russia.

Vladimir Putin presents the Order of Alexander Nevsky to Shavkat Mirziyoyev.

President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev: Mr Putin, friends,

Let me express my sincere gratitude to you for presenting me with a prestigious state award of the Russian Federation, the Order of Alexander Nevsky. It is a great honour for me.

We know well that Alexander Nevsky, a great statesman and commander, always defended the interests of his country. His words “God is not in strength, but in truth” are in many ways consonant with the advice of our great ancestor Amir Temur “Strength is in justice.”

The motto of the Order of Alexander Nevsky is very symbolic: For Labour and the Fatherland. Indeed, noble work in the name of the Fatherland deserved the highest recognition at all times and among all nations. I consider this award, first of all, to be high praise for the contribution of the multi-ethnic people of Uzbekistan to the consistent and comprehensive development of the strategic partnership and alliance with Russia.

I believe this is excellent proof of our mutual desire to further promote the friendship between our people and countries and to expand the current constructive and trust-based dialogue at all levels.

Let me stress that I am extremely satisfied with the impressive results of our active and close cooperation in the political, trade, economic, cultural, humanitarian and other spheres, which we achieved in recent years. There is no doubt that these results are a testament to the leadership of President of Russia Vladimir Putin.

And our talks today prove that we have no unresolved issues or unresolved problems – we are making progress everywhere. We intend to further build on this positive momentum, multiply our shared success and reach new levels in all areas of our comprehensive partnership.

Today we have reaffirmed this once again, as I have said, by signing the declaration on comprehensive strategic partnership between Russia and Uzbekistan.

I would like to once again express my enormous gratitude for such a distinguished and significant award. I am sure that by working together we will ensure the further development and promotion of practical bilateral cooperation for the well-being and prosperity of our friendly countries and nations.

Once again, Mr President, I am thankful to you for this award. I believe this to be an advance, and in the future – and the declaration signed today attests to this – we will address all issues, all agreements between us, only in a positive manner. And no matter how hard it is, we still find common ground and resolve these issues, and we will continue to resolve them and move forward.

Once again, I thank you. Thank you very much.