President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and Mrs Mehriban Aliyeva were on a visit to Uzbekistan, March 23-24, 2004.
On March 23, President Ilham Aliyev and Mrs Mehriban Aliyeva were met, at “Tashkent-2” Airport, by Prime Minister of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyayev and other officials.
Official welcoming ceremony
On March 23, a ceremony of welcoming of Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev took place at “Durmen” Residence of the Uzbek President.
President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov introduced high-ranking officials of Uzbekistan to President Ilham Aliyev.
Inauguration of a new building of the Azerbaijan Cultural Centre named after Heydar Aliyev in Tashkent
On March 23, inauguration of a new building of the Azerbaijan Cultural Centre named after Heydar Aliyev took place in Tashkent.
President Ilham Aliyev and Mrs Mehriban Aliyeva attended the ceremony.
The Head of State and the First Lady acquainted themselves with training rooms, a computer hall, a library, a museum, music and dance study groups, and a fitness complex of the centre.
Then the President and his spouse met with members of the Azerbaijani Diaspora.
Acquaintance with the Child Village Association’s activity
On March 23, Mehriban Aliyeva acquainted herself with the activity of the Child Village Association, accompanied by Tatyana Karimova, the wife of the Uzbek President Islam Karimov.
Mehriban Aliyeva was informed of the organization’s activity and primary objectives.
Mehriban Aliyeva presented souvenirs to children.
Acquaintance with the Sate Art Museum of Uzbekistan
On March 23, Mehriban Aliyeva visited the State Art Museum of Uzbekistan.
While acquainting herself with the museum - with the collection of over 50 thousand exhibits - the First Lady was given information about the exhibits.
Mehriban Aliyeva wrote her heartfelt words in the Honoured Guests Book, and presented works by Azerbaijani artists to the museum.
Official reception in honour of President Ilham Aliyev and Mrs Mehriban Aliyeva
On March 23, an official reception was organized on behalf of the President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov in honour of Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Mrs Mehriban Aliyeva.
The Presidents delivered a speech at the reception.
Visit to the city of Samarkand
On March 24, President Ilham Aliyev and Mrs Mehriban Aliyeva arrived in Samarkand, one of the oldest cities of the world.
At the airport of Samarkand, the Head of State and his spouse were met by the Samarkand region’s judge Rustam Kholmuradov.
First, the President and his spouse arrived at Ulugbey Observatory. It was informed that this observatory was created in the 15th century by famous Uzbek astronomer Ulugbey, the grandson of Tamerlane. Although it had collapsed in the later periods, remnants of the observatory were found early in the 20th century, and restored.
Then President and his spouse Mehriban Aliyeva arrived at Afrasiab Museum, a place where the oldest monuments of Samarkand are located. Ancient jewellery is preserved in the museum, created in 1970.
Continuing their acquaintance with the historical and cultural sites of the city, the President and his spouse arrived at Gur-Amir Tomb, in which Tamerlane was buried. There are also graves of other rulers of the Tamerlane family in this tomb, built in the 15th century. The Head of our State was given detailed information about the construction of the tomb.
The President and his spouse came to the Bibikhanum Mosque, a memory of the 16th century, and then acquainted themselves with “Siab” Bazaar, the biggest trade centre of Samarkand.
After the familiarization with the city, a dinner was organized at the residence of the Samarkand Regional Authority on behalf of city judge Rustam Kholmuradov.
March 23-24, 2004
