Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- Director of the Institute for Strategic and Interregional Studies under the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Eldor Aripov shared this assessment, speaking at the third section session: “Regional security. Challenges and Threats” of the international high-level conference “Central and South Asia: Regional Connectivity. Challenges and Opportunities”, which takes place in Tashkent on 15-16 July.

As the director of the ISMI noted, in the context of the new dynamics of the development of the situation in Afghanistan, the withdrawal of coalition forces from this country, questions about ensuring security, finding the required mechanisms and formats will automatically come to the fore.

With this in mind, our discussion will be multifaceted, we will not focus exclusively on traditional issues of the so-called. "Hard security".

Aripov suggested discussing the “soft” components of security, such as strengthening interconnection and the implementation of mutually beneficial infrastructure projects.

First of all, we are talking about large economic and infrastructure projects that can and should be an integral part of our efforts to strengthen security and stability throughout Central and South Asia. Including efforts to promote peace in Afghanistan.

At the same time, the head of the ISMI noted, it is very important that everyone is interested in safety. In this regard, there is a simple truth - trading is much more profitable than fighting. Only a few remain in the black from conflicts, while millions benefit from trade and peaceful development.

A regional consensus built on the basis of this truth will be much stronger than any political agreements or geopolitical deals, he stressed.

Therefore, strengthening interconnection, solving socio-economic and transport-communication problems, we will simultaneously make a significant contribution to ensuring the security and stability of our regions, - E. Aripov concluded.