Uzbekistan, like no other country, is interested in transforming the Central Asian region into an area of stability, sustainable development and good-neighborliness, the Uzbek Foreign Minister Abdulaziz Kamilov said in his opening remarks in the "Central Asia - Uzbekistan's top foreign policy priority" conference.
A prosperous and safe Central Asia is an absolute imperative for us. Quoting President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, he stressed: Any major regional transport, communication and energy projects can not be implemented without enhanced interactions and interconnectivity in the region.
Central Asia is not only a geographical and geopolitical, but also a single cultural and civilizational space. The people living in the region share common spiritual values, have similar traditions and customs, common history. The uniqueness of each country originates from common roots that formed during the Silk Road era, under the influence of expansion of cultures of the West and East, North and South. "
Therefore, Uzbekistan has been and remains a firm supporter of an open, friendly and pragmatic policy towards its closest neighbors. We are open for comprehensive cooperation with the Central Asian countries on the basis of equality and respect for others’ interests. Tashkent is ready for a constructive dialogue, searching for solutions even to the most acute problems by means of reasonable compromises, Abdulaziz Kamilov said.
According to the minister, "concrete political and diplomatic steps undertaken by Uzbekistan in the Central Asian vector so far are the confirmation of this. We have indeed managed to create a new political atmosphere in the region, significantly improve the level of political trust with our neighbors, reach breakthrough results in many areas, he said.
Speaking of Central Asia, one should bear in mind one indisputable truth - Afghanistan is historically, geographically and geopolitically connected to the region. The country is our neighbor, an important and organic component of a region-wide security system ... The peace in Afghanistan can be attained through economic development, in which the countries of our region can and should take part, the foreign minister continued.
In recent months, Uzbekistan "has significantly enhanced ties with Afghanistan, has joined multilateral efforts to resolve the Afghan problem." The Uzbek side will continue to further promote the economic reconstruction of Afghanistan, its prompt transition to peaceful development, Abdulaziz Kamilov said.
