Speaking at a festive ceremony to celebrate the 15th anniversary of the country’s constitution in Tashkent on 7 December, featured in Uzbek TV’s "Davr" news programme the same day, Islam Karimov said: "In making a critical and fair assessment of the work that has been done so far, we must proudly note that whatever great results we have achieved in building a national statehood and a free and prosperous society in our country; ensuring human rights and interests; increasing our country’s potential and strength as well as welfare of our people; and taking a reputable place in the international arena, we achieved them by implementing the objectives set in our constitution."

The event was attended by government officials, scholars and artists, foreign diplomats and representatives from international organizations, the TV report said.

Speaking about the results of this year - the Year of Social Protection - the president noted that about 350m dollars have been spent for social initiatives in the country.

Traditionally for the Constitution Day, the president also announced the focus of social policy for the next year. He said that the next year will be the Year of the Youth.

"In addressing one of the current priority issues - ensuring that young people, who are making their first steps in life, occupy their deserved place in our society - time itself sets new objectives to us. In order to implement these objectives, to draw the attention of the state and society to this priority issue, I would like to announce the year 2008 as the Year of the Youth," the president said.

The reporters said the president had paid special attention to comprehensive development of the younger generation from the early years of the country’s independence, and that this announcement marked the fact that these initiatives were raised to a state policy level.

The president’s speech was followed by a concert.