To His Excellency, Mr Islom Karimov, the president of the Republic of Uzbekistan

Your Excellency!

Allow me to congratulate you with all my heart on the 2750th anniversary of the town of Samarqand.

During the times of the Great Silk Road, Samarqand, which is included in the list of UNESCO’s cultural heritage, was one of the biggest centres of world trade, science and culture since it was at the crossroads of civilizations between the East and the West.

People in Japan are still impressed by the stately history of Samarqand, which has opened the civilization of the Great Silk Road to Japan.

I visited Uzbekistan in August last year. I was impressed by the magnificence of historic memorials of the town, amongst which I still remember the Registon square and the Bibixonim mosque.

Taking this opportunity, I would like to wish Your Excellency great successes in holding festive events on the occasion of the 2750th anniversary of Samarqand, further development and deepening of friendly relations between Uzbekistan and Japan. Our peoples are closely linked with each other since ancient times.

I am sure that the forthcoming festivities will help the people of the entire world to know more about the beauty and magnificence of ancient Samarqand.

With deepest respect,

Junichiro Koizumi,

Former prime minister of Japan.