18.09.2021

Dear colleagues!

I fully share the common concern over the situation in Afghanistan.

Indeed, today a completely new reality has developed in this country – in a very short time, the Taliban movement has gained almost full power.

The new authorities still have a difficult path to go – from the consolidation of society to the formation of a capable government that includes all ethno-political groups.

In fact, this will determine the prospects for stabilizing the situation, restoring Afghan statehood and, in general, developing interactions between the international community and Afghanistan.

In the current conditions, there are no firm guarantees that the country shall not return to the situation of the 90s, when it was engulfed in a civil war and a humanitarian crisis, stood in international isolation, and its territory turned into a «hub» of international terrorism and drug production.

As the closest neighbor, we have directly faced these challenges and threats in those years, and we are clearly aware of all the possible negative consequences of the development of the situation in Afghanistan according to this scenario.

In this regard, I would like to share my vision of the main aspects of cooperation on Afghanistan.

First. The territory of Afghanistan should not be allowed to remain a source of challenges and threats to our security.

I mean, above all, the growth of extremism and the export of radical ideology, the use of Afghan territory for subversive actions against our countries, the risks of the infiltration of fighters across the borders.

It is important, through joint efforts and decisive actions, to jointly cut off the channels for the transfer of terrorists from «hot spots» to Afghanistan.

In this regard, we are in favor of expanding practical cooperation through the Executive Committee of the SCO RATS and the CSTO Secretariat, as well as the special services of our States.

Second. It is extremely important to work out a common strategic approach of the SCO and CSTO to the development of the situation in and around Afghanistan in order to create conditions for entering the process of recognition of the new authorities.

Third. A dialogue with the new government should be implemented with the fulfillment of its obligations.

Among them – not to patronize international terrorist organizations; prevent the use of the territory of Afghanistan against third countries; ensure the observance of fundamental human rights and freedoms, including those of women and national minorities.

Fourth. It is important to continue the implementation of socio-economic and infrastructure projects in Afghanistan.

Despite the difficult situation, we did not stop the work of the Uzbek-Afghan transport hub – the most important artery for the supply of food and oil products to this country, as well as uninterrupted supply of electricity.

I would like to emphasize that the suspension of assistance will exacerbate the already difficult situation of the long-suffering Afghan people.

Along with this, the new authorities must guarantee the safety of the implementation of joint projects.

Fifth. It is important to prevent the isolation of Afghanistan and its transformation into a «rogue state».

In this context, we believe that the United Nations could take on even greater responsibility for mobilizing and coordinating the international efforts to assist Afghanistan.

Dear colleagues!

Uzbekistan intends to continue close and effective interaction with all interested parties in stabilizing the situation in Afghanistan.

Thank you for your attention!

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