13.01.2017

A ceremonial event took place in the “Ozbekiston” international forums palace on 13 January, devoted to the 25th anniversary of the formation of Uzbekistan’s Armed Forces and 14 January – Motherland Defenders Day.

The holiday of defenders of peace and calm – military servicemen is widely celebrated in this country every year. This is a result of peace and stability reigning in the country. 

On the morning of 13 January, representatives of the Ministry of Defence, the Ministry of Interior, the Ministry of Emergencies, the National Security Service and the State Customs Committee lined up in Independence Square. 

As a military orchestra played music, these defenders of the Motherland laid flowers at the monument of independence and kindness, which is a symbol of the country’s sovereignty, bright future and good intentions. 

The “Ozbekiston” international forums palace is decorated for the holiday. Senators, deputies, government members, soldiers and sergeants, officers and generals, veterans of the Armed Forces, parents and members of the wider public were invited here. 

The festive event was opened by Tashkent city’s mayor R.Usmonov. 

The national anthem of the Republic of Uzbekistan was played. 

President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces Shavkat Mirziyoyev congratulated the Motherland’s defenders cordially on the 25th anniversary of the formation of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Uzbekistan. 

In accordance with a decree by First President Islam Karimov, the country’s Ministry of Defence Matters was established on 6 September 1991. Under a resolution, dated 14 January 1992, by the head of state, all the military formations stationed in the territory of the republic were placed under the jurisdiction of the Republic of Uzbekistan. 

And so this historic day – 14 January is widely celebrated in the country as Motherland Defenders Day. 

Over the past period of time, the Armed Forces improved structurally and systemically. Formations’ mobility, combat capability and military servicemen’s physical and moral preparedness rose. Military units and subdivisions were provided with weapons and military hardware. 

Consistent work has been carried out to bring the national army up to strength with professional personnel and to further raise military servicemen’s knowledge, ability and preparedness. Military training and exercises are being conducted on the basis of advanced achievements of science and technology. The country’s higher military educational establishments train officers who have modern knowledge and high moral qualities and are able to take decisions fast and to neutralize any threat. 

As a result of call-ups for fixed-term military service being carried out once a year, the introduction of contractual military service and mobilization reserve service, the moral atmosphere at military units completely changed. Military service became a unique school for young people to toughen up physically and form a firm resolve and high humane qualities. As a result, young people’s interest in military service is growing. 

The enlistment of people in the army on a competitive basis is an important factor in staffing the army ranks with young people who are physically prepared and who have high intellectual potential. As a result of this, soldiers thoroughly learn in military training programmes to use modern equipment and technologies. 

Constant attention is also paid to improving service and living conditions for Motherland defenders and to providing social security for citizens transferred to the reserve. 

The construction of new homes for military servicemen, the renovation of existing housing, the building and reconstruction of modern cantonments, the provision of long-term credits for the purchase of apartments and the allocation of land for individual house construction are expanding with every passing year. On the eve of the New Year holiday, new homes were provided for military servicemen in many territories of the country. Hundreds of military servicemen celebrated the New Year in new homes. 

Young people who have done military service and who have obtained good recommendations from their military unit command are awarded as a privilege 27 per cent of the highest possible number of points that can be scored in entrance tests for higher educational institutions. This is of importance to them learning professions and finding their place in life. 

This year, Motherland Defenders Day is being celebrated in the country on the slogan of “Uzbekistan is our independent Motherland, and the national army is our pride and honour”. The public council under the Ministry of Defence of Uzbekistan is arranging many meetings and moral enlightenment events on this theme at military units and subdivisions, in all the regions, in neighbourhoods and distant villages, widely propagating the value of peace and tranquillity and everyone’s responsibility for keeping and protecting these blessings. 

In accordance with a decree, dated 12 January 2017, by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, officers of the law enforcement agencies, the Ministry of Defence and the Ministry of Emergencies were given high awards and medals of the Motherland on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Uzbekistan and Motherland Defenders Day. The State Leader gave them these awards ceremonially. 

“Our country’s peace and calm are out people’s largest wealth. I am proud to be contributing to keeping and protecting this wealth and to ensuring our country’s peace and security. This high award of our Motherland gives me even greater pride. I will try with all my strength to justify this trust and to protect our people’s peace and prosperity and our children’s future,” says a senior officer of the command and control department of the General Staff of the Defence Ministry and “Sodiq hizmatlari uchun” (for loyal service) medal laureate, Fazliddin Ahmadillayev. 

An officer of the Armed Forces, Laziz Usmonov; a soldier’s mother, Laylo Jorayeva; the chairman of the public council under the Ministry of Defence, Iqbol Mirzaaliyev; and others congratulated the festive event’s participants on Motherland Defenders Day, and expressed genuine gratitude to President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces Shavkat Mirziyoyev for the great care being provided to the country’s military servicemen. 

The ceremonial event concluded with a big holiday concert.

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