Azernews.Az

Uzbekistan and United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) successfully interact in the revival and deep study of the rich spiritual heritage of Uzbekistan; jointly implement different programs in the sphere of culture, education, science and other directions.

The bilateral cooperation was focus of the meeting between President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov and Director-General of UNESCO Irina Bokova , Uzbekistan National News Agency (UzA) reported.

Greeting the guest, Islam Karimov expressed confidence that her first visit to Uzbekistan as the Head of UNESCO will allow to closely know the country, learn about rich historical and cultural heritage of the Uzbek people.

He said that during the previous 20 years under the auspices of UNESCO anniversaries of Amir Temur, Mirzo Ulugbek, Ahmad al-Farghani, Imam Al-Bukhari, Kamoliddin Bekhzod, world-famous cities - Samarkand, Bukhara, Khiva, Termez, Shakhrisabz, Karshi, Tashkent and Margilan, as well as priceless literary monuments Alpomish and Avesto were widely celebrated on an international scale.

Historical and cultural sites of Samarkand, Shakhrisabz, Bukhara and Khiva are included to the UNESCO World Heritage List. Bukhara was declared the "City of Peace" by UNESCO in 2001. The cultural space Baysun, as well as Shashmakom, Katta ashula and Nawruz are included to the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity

Irina Bokova , in turn, said that the achievements of Uzbekistan recognized in the world are directly related to that the leadership of the country pays special attention to the development of culture and education, educating the younger generation on the best national traditions, drawing on the world's cultural heritage.

Bokova also met with Foreign Minister of Uzbekistan Abdulaziz Kamilov and discussed the work on joint projects in the sphere of culture, education, information technologies and others with.

During the meeting, the parties underscored mutual interest in consistent implementation of the existing potential of cooperation, based on a rich historical and cultural heritage of the Uzbek people and the significant opportunities of such a global and authoritative international structures as UNESCO.

The UNESCO delegation headed by its Director-General arrived in Uzbekistan for participation in the IX International Music Festival "Sharg taronalari" ('Melodies of the Orient') in Samarkand.