DUSHANBE, 05.03.2018 /NIAT “Khovar”/. 6 checkpoints resumed their work on the Tajik-Uzbek border on March 1, 2018. The opening ceremonies of the border between the Republic of Tajikistan and the Republic of Uzbekistan along with the leaders of the provinces and districts of the two countries were also attended by respected and well-known peoples of both sides. In this regard, the writer and publicist, head of the Sughd department of the Writers’ Union of Tajikistan Ahmadjon RAHMATZODA said to NIAT “Khovar”, in particular:

…The “Jarteppa – Sarazm” checkpoint has been opened on the border between Panjikent and Samarkand. Those present all have repeatedly expressed that the border between the two friendly and brotherly peoples — Tajik and Uzbek has never been closed. One of those present, who was an employee of the cultural sphere of the Samarkand region of the Republic of Uzbekistan Yodgor Sadiev, in his welcoming speech emphasized the following: “The Tajik nation is proud to have the founder of the classical Tajik and Persian literature Rudaki and the Leader of the Nation, the President of the Republic of Tajikistan, His Excellency Emomali Rahmon. These great personalities are also dear to residents of our country, and the portrait of the Leader of the Nation in every house is a ray of light and a bringing joy to families”.

It is obvious that Abuabdullo Rudaki is the visiting card of our nation, and thanks to his work the Samanid dynasty and the name of the Tajik people became known throughout the world, the expressive and eloquent Tajik language ascended to the state throne and gained eternity, the unique Tajik literature in the spread language of the Samanid period reached that level, which was considered one of the world’s most advanced languages for another millennium. Of course, since eleven centuries to praise Ustod Rudaki is deservedly.

For the Tajik and Uzbek peoples, who live in the neighborhood for centuries and their friendship became stronger and stronger throughout the history, the opening of border checkpoints between the two neighboring countries has become an important historical event. One of the main reasons for opening the borders and improving relations between Tajikistan and Uzbekistan is undoubtedly the result of efforts and the policy of the “open doors” of the Leader of the Tajik Nation. On the other hand, the far-sighted view and new political steps of the new president of Uzbekistan also created favorable conditions for relieving tension. The Leader of the Tajik Nation, even in the cold-blooded policies of the former officials of the neighboring country, left an open understanding window and sought to transform the state relations between Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.

Despite all obstacles, during the bitter mourning, the Head of State of Tajikistan with his sincerity and generosity was close to the Uzbek brothers. In fact, this step of the Leader of the Nation inspired the sides to mutual understanding and friendship, and played an important role in the gradual improvement of cooperation. Namely, on the basis of such a well-founded and perspective view of the heads of states of the region it is possible to gradually resolve the common problems of these countries.

The opening of border checkpoints between Tajikistan and Uzbekistan is one of the promising facts in this direction. When border checkpoints were reopened, group meetings of relatives, former colleagues, businessmen and people of different professions testified that the Tajik and Uzbek people really need each other, they are like brothers. They embraced each other like a brother, sat down for a festive spring dastarkhan and had a sincere peaceful conversation.

The 100-year-old resident of the Panjakent district Lutfullo Sirojev said that he had no opportunity to see his daughter and grandchildren for 20 years. He with tears in the eyes expressed gratitude to the Leader of the Nation, His Excellency Emomali Rahmon and the Head of our fraternal state Shavkat Mirziyoyev, and prayed for the eternity of our independent state under the leadership of His Excellency, as well as for the eternity and strength of the friendship of the Tajik-Uzbek people!

It is gratifying that the air and transport routes between the Republics of Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, which had been closed for several years, are gradually reopened. Also, on the basis of an agreement of the relevant structures of Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, the reconstruction works of the Amuzang railway have already been completed.

The connection of these interrupted routes, leading to people’s travels, imports and exports, as well as to the development of bilateral relations between our countries, can undoubtedly contribute to greater integration of the Tajik and Uzbek peoples and further strengthening our interstate relations. The revival of cultural and economic relations between Tajikistan and Uzbekistan is so simple that the peoples of both countries welcome such cooperation, since they have long waited for such a political transformation. The efforts of the leaders of Tajikistan and Uzbekistan to revive the previous interstate relations between the two countries are undoubtedly well received by the peoples of both countries, and at the same time, their far-sighted political steps also raise their image in the region and in the world.

There are many nations in the world that, along with protecting their mentality and national characteristics, also have cultural and historical commonality and affinity with other nations, but it is difficult to find nations, such as Tajiks and Uzbeks, who would be so similar in terms of spirituality and morality, customs and traditions and lifestyle. These two nations, throughout the long history of their coexistence, became so close that in the image of their life there were no differences, even in small things.  Therefore, the representatives of these two nations against the background of time political cataclysms have always been inclined to each other in terms of sensitivity and did not allow any obstacles in their direct and indirect relations. The atmosphere of thinking of non-political strata of society and ordinary peoples of Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, unlike the former cold and tangled political space between these countries, has always been warm and friendly. It is thanks to the abundance of this light that the political way of consensus and mutual trust of Tajikistan and Uzbekistan with the suggestion and guidance of forward-looking leaders of these two neighboring countries, which can be useful and bring happiness to both countries and for both peoples, is found.

It is very symbolic that the official opening ceremony of majority of checkpoints took place on the first day of spring, and it can be regarded as a good harbinger that the spring of friendship between the two ancient and neighboring peoples will forever bear sweet fruits and the peoples of both sides of the borders, relatives and friends can freely visit each other.