Strong Bonds With Uzbekistan Hailed

President Hassan Rouhani congratulated his Uzbek counterpart on the 25th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two countries, describing the "deep and unbreakable bonds" as an asset to relations between Tehran and Tashkent. In a message to Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev on Wednesday, Rouhani hailed the "effective steps" that the two countries have taken over the past years to promote cooperation in political, economic and cultural fields, Tasnim News Agency reported. Rouhani expressed confidence that enhancement of bilateral relations would serve the two countries' mutual interests and contribute to regional peace and stability. Uzbekistan declared independence as a sovereign republic on August 31, 1991, in the wake of the dissolution of Soviet Union. Iran and Uzbekistan launched formal diplomatic relations in May 1992.