The use of the Russian language in formal matters Uzbekistan corresponds to the interests of citizens of the Republic, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova told at briefing, commenting on the topic of a draft law being discussed in this country on the need to work in the Uzbek language.
"We noted the debates in the media caused by the draft law. It seems so far that its supporters are outnumbered. Most comments show that the preservation of the Russian language in formal matters fully corresponds to the spirit of the history and current quality of our relations, and most importantly, to the interests of the Uzbek nationals who often choose to study and work in Russia," she noted.
Zakharova also noted that active joint work is underway to create a full-scale programme regarding the teaching of Russian in Uzbekistan.
"We are talking about increasing the deliveries of textbooks, methodological and fiction literature, the opening of additional Russian language centres, sending Russian language experts to training centres, raising the budget quotas in Russian universities for Uzbek students in the Russian Philology specialty, and so on," Zakharova added.
The draft law is currently being actively discussed in Uzbekistan, which proposes to introduce a fine for not using the Uzbek language in official business. The Ministry of Justice of the Republic said that they studied the experience of Ukraine, Latvia and Lithuania while preparing the document.
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
Photo: Creative Commons