10.12.2018

On December 10, the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev received the U.S. Special Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation Zalmay Khalilzad and Deputy Assistant to the President of the United States, Senior Director for South and Central Asia at the National Security Council Lisa Curtis.

The Head of the state, warmly welcoming the American delegation, noted with deep satisfaction the dynamic development and consistent strengthening of multifaceted cooperation between the two countries. It was emphasized that agreements on the results of the high-level visit to the United States in May this year marked the beginning of a new era of strategic partnership.

Contacts at various levels have been intensified, productive political dialogue and inter-parliamentary interaction have been established, joint projects are being implemented in trade-economic and investment spheres, cultural-humanitarian exchanges are developing.

At the meeting, current issues of further expansion of Uzbekistan – American comprehensive relations, as well as international and regional agenda were discussed. Particular attention was paid to peaceful settlement of the situation in Afghanistan.

President Shavkat Mirziyoyev emphasized that Uzbekistan attaches great importance to development of traditionally good-neighborly relations with Afghanistan, and stands for establishment of peace and stability, ensuring sustainable development in this country.

An important contribution to this process can become the implementation of a number of significant infrastructure projects initiated by Uzbekistan.

Construction of Mazar-i-Sharif – Herat railway line and Surkhan – Puli-Khumri power line are among them.

An international logistics center has been established with Termez Cargo Center customs terminal, which helps to increase the trade turnover and transit traffic between Uzbekistan and Afghanistan.

In addition, an Educational Center successfully operates in Termez, where Afghan young boys and girls get education and professional skills.

At the meeting, the need for closer coordination of efforts of the entire international community in launching a peace negotiation process with the main and decisive role of the Afghans themselves, providing practical assistance in promoting economic assistance projects in Afghanistan was emphasized.

Zalmay Khalilzad and Lisa Curtis, expressing deep gratitude to Shavkat Mirziyoyev for the warm welcome, conveyed sincere greetings on behalf of the United States President Donald Trump.

High assessment was given to reforms being carried out in Uzbekistan in all spheres, as well as the ongoing foreign policy of the country in relations with neighboring states, including with Afghanistan.

It was noted that the results of the International Conference on Afghanistan, held in March this year in Tashkent, determined the areas of international steps and became the basis for joint action on peaceful settlement of the Afghan issue.

Following the meeting, mutual readiness for further strengthening Uzbekistan – American strategic partnership, expanding cooperation in issues of resolving the situation in Afghanistan in order to ensure peace, stability and sustainable development in the region was emphasized.

• 
• 
•