President Mirziyoyev warns of security threats, advocates engagement with Afghanistan

In his speech at the first Central Asia–European Union summit, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev also addressed issues of regional security and cooperation with Afghanistan.

“Cooperation in combating shared security threats — particularly terrorism, extremism, radicalism, cybercrime, drug trafficking, and illegal migration — is becoming increasingly urgent.

“We support our European partners’ proposal to initiate dialogue on counter-terrorism issues,” said the president.

He further noted the importance of expanding practical cooperation within the frameworks of the BOMCA and CADAP programs.

Shavkat Mirziyoyev also stated that Uzbekistan is ready to continue political consultations on ensuring peaceful development in Afghanistan.

“We are prepared to continue political consultations on promoting peaceful development in Afghanistan. Unfortunately, the international community is not giving sufficient attention to the full scope of threats emanating from Afghan territory.

“We believe it is essential to actively engage the Afghan side in regional economic processes, including the implementation of investment and infrastructure projects and the restoration of the social sector. We hope the international community will understand the importance of establishing constructive dialogue with the current Afghan authorities to ensure fulfillment of commitments,” Mirziyoyev said.

At the conclusion of his remarks, the President of Uzbekistan stressed the need to implement mechanisms for realizing the initiatives and agreements reached.

In this context, he proposed establishing a Partnership Committee under the Central Asia–EU format, to meet annually at the deputy prime ministerial level.

“I would like to once again express my deep gratitude to all of you for your open, trustworthy, and constructive dialogue.

“I am confident that the leaders of Europe’s major institutions and financial organizations are now convinced of Central Asia’s unity, and of our readiness to engage as a reliable and responsible partner in broad-based cooperation.

“I congratulate all of you on the historic decision to establish a strategic partnership between our two regions.

“To ensure the implementation of the agreements reached and initiatives proposed, I suggest that the Summit Secretariat, together with experts, prepare a ‘Roadmap’ within one month that we can approve through working procedures,” Mirziyoyev concluded.