Foreign Ministry issues new statement on Afghanistan

“In response to appeals from foreign partners, as well as adhering to the principles of international humanitarian law, Uzbekistan is closely cooperating with a number of foreign states on the evacuation of their citizens from Afghanistan,” the ministry said in a statement.

Currently, joint efforts are ongoing with Germany, Russia, the USA, Switzerland, Austria, Denmark, Poland, Hungary, Slovakia and Kazakhstan on the provision of services for the use of airport infrastructure in Tashkent. Coordinated work has been ensured together with foreign partners on orderly evacuation from Afghanistan of both citizens of foreign states and Afghan nationals.

Over the past few days, 1,982 citizens of foreign countries have been evacuated through the territory of Uzbekistan. During a short-term stay on the territory of Uzbekistan, evacuees are provided with all the necessary assistance in compliance with strict quarantine measures, after which they are all sent to the countries of destination without delay.

“In addition, an agreement was reached with representatives of the Taliban movement on ensuring the security of Afghan citizens, who illegally crossed the Uzbek-Afghan border during these dramatic days. As a result of the agreements with the Taliban leadership to prevent any measures of violence and persecution against this category of persons, 150 Afghan citizens were returned to their homeland of their own free will,” the MFA said.