Uzbek President Islam Karimov has said that Uzbekistan pursues its own independent policy.

In his remarks, broadcast by Uzbek TV in a special programme on his visit to central Navoiy Region on 16 June, Karimov said: "We have our own army. Our strength is also growing day by day. Uzbekistan has the only difference from others. Do you know it? It trusts in its own strength and pursues an independent policy. We do not obey someone and we are not dependent [on someone]. Neither do we say "Yes sir! Yes sir!". Our policy is independent."

While talking to a farmer in the region’s Qiziltepa District, Karimov also learnt that the man was an ethnic Tajik and wished well to Tajiks living there.

"Tajiks have always been living in Qiziltepa. May Tajiks be well. May they be happy and strike deep roots here," Karimov said.

The programme showed Karimov arriving at an airport; him talking to farmers and officials in a wheat field; him meeting villagers and presenting his pen to a local boy.