On June 22, the Foreign Minister Abdulaziz Kamilov held a telephone conversation with his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov, the Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

The parties discussed topical aspects of Uzbek-Russian ties, reviewed the schedule of upcoming official meetings at various levels and exchanged views on the regional security matters. 

“Special attention is paid to the participation of the Russian side in the international high-level conference “The Central and South Asia: Regional Interconnectedness. Challenges and opportunities,” the statement added. 

Also, on June 22, the special envoy of the President of Uzbekistan for Afghanistan, Ismatulla Irgashev, held talks with the personal envoy of the United Nations Secretary General for Afghanistan and regional affairs, Jean Arnault. 

During the conversation, the parties discussed Uzbekistan’s and the UN’s efforts aimed at resolving the Afghan crisis and post-conflict development of the country. Jean Arnault reportedly commended the policy pursued by the leadership of Uzbekistan for the peaceful resolution of the long-term Afghan crisis, the country's integration into regional political and economic processes. 

He especially emphasized Uzbekistan’s role in launching the direct intra-Afghan talks, which, according to him, will contribute to the early establishment of a long-awaited and stable peace in Afghanistan. 

A thorough exchange of views also took place on priority areas of cooperation between Uzbekistan and the United Nations in terms of promoting the peace negotiation process, as well as restoring the Afghan economy, and implementing infrastructure projects in the country. 

Earlier it was reported that Taliban forces captured seven districts of Afghanistan last Friday. Thus, for the first time since 2001, the Taliban control more parts of the country than the official government. 

According to media reports, the Taliban also seized a customs checkpoint on the border between Tajikistan and Afghanistan.