Shavkat Mirziyoyev spoke about foreign policy and talks with “Taliban”

Uzbekistan will pursue an active foreign policy aimed at further developing relations with the CIS member states, first of all Russia, as well as China, the USA, the EU, the Republic of Korea and Japan. This was stated during Shavkat Mirziyoyev’s address to the Parliament.

“We pay close attention to strengthening cooperation with Muslim countries that are linked to our common historical, spiritual values. We look forward to enriching mutually beneficial relationships with foreign partners in all areas with practical content. We rely on the clear and concrete strategy in our foreign policy to ensure security and sustainable development in Central Asia. In this regard, Uzbekistan considers practical and mutually beneficial relations with neighbors in the region as well as with Turkey, India, Pakistan and Iran,” the head of state said.

According to the president, implementation of this strategy plays an important role in the development of relations with Afghanistan.

“We have urged the international community to support the need to start peace talks under the leadership of the Afghan government. It should be noted that in March 2018, the high level Tashkent conference was held on Afghanistan and it was a comprehensive international conference in the history of modern Afghanistan. Following that conference, international efforts to launch a negotiation process with all political forces in Afghanistan, including the “Taliban”, have intensified. Moreover, Uzbekistan has held a number of important negotiations with the “Taliban” representatives,” Mr. Mirziyoyev said.