"City twinning between Isfahan and Samarkand should be realized as soon as possible to strengthen the bonds of friendship between the two cities; on this ground, Samarkand's city officials will send a memorandum of understanding draft to the municipality of Isfahan in the next few days," the mayor of Samarkand said.
Iran (IMNA) - "Samarkand is one of the most civilized cities in the world; it is not only an ancient city but also a city of science and culture, " Bobumirza Oblakulov, the mayor of Samarkand, said in an online meeting with the mayor of Isfahan.
He added, "there are over 10 universities, 80 conservatories and colleges and more than 10 schools in Samarkand. The city is home to the Center for Archaeological Studies, the Flower Breeding Research Center and one of the educational centers of UNESCO."
The mayor of Samarkand went on to say that there are 412 architectural structures, 23 scenic places and a total of 490 architectural and cultural centers in the city.
"The city of Samarkand joined the list UNESCO's World Heritage Sites in 2001; the city has a famous observatory, the Afrasiyab ancient settlement and the pilgrimage complex for three different religions," Oblakulov continued.
Saying that the city of Samarkand has 150 hotels and more than 100 active tourism companies, he noted, "800 people are active in the hospitality industry in Samarkand, and fortunately high-ranking officials of Uzbekistan pay special attention to the tourism growth and economic prosperity."
Emphasizing the peaceful symbiosis of various religions in Samarkand, Bobumirza Oblakulov added, "This city holds cultural and historical relations with many cities across the world, and is trying to expand these connections day by day."
Referring to the proverb "A picture is worth a thousand words", he said, "This proverb is common between Samarkand and Isfahan; so, we invite you to visit the city of Samarkand and enjoy the beauties of this ancient city for real."
The mayor of Samarkand expressed hope and said, "Amicable relations will be established between Isfahan and Samarkand and the ground for wide interaction and cooperation will be also provided; these two cities can jointly develop the tourism industry. "
"City twinning between Isfahan and Samarkand should be realized as soon as possible to strengthen the bonds of friendship between the two cities; on this ground, Samarkand's city officials will send a memorandum of understanding draft to the municipality of Isfahan in the next few days," the mayor of Samarkand ended.
