Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) – Minister of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan Abdulaziz Kamilov gave an interview to the correspondent Russia 24 Robert Frantsev.

Frantsev: Mr. Minister, thank you for taking the time in your busy schedule for an interview with our TV channel. I propose to start our conversation with relations between Uzbekistan and Russia, which have shown an unprecedented rise in recent years. In this regard, let me find out what the Uzbek side is filling the bilateral agenda with?

A. Kamilov: I am sincerely glad to meet with you again and answer your questions. And what we start with really makes a huge difference.

In your question, you have already indicated an assessment of the state of our relations. For my part, I would like to draw your attention to the main areas of our cooperation with the Russian Federation.

First of all, it should be noted that today Uzbek-Russian relations are at the very peak of their development. In principle, there has been no such progress in the history of interstate relations.

The foundation for a new stage of cooperation was laid, first of all, during two state visits: in 2017, the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev visited the Russian Federation, and in 2018 the President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin paid a visit to the Republic of Uzbekistan. The results of these meetings determined the priority areas of interaction and laid a solid foundation for strategic partnership and allied relations.

First, to date, a comprehensive cooperation agenda has been formed, covering all spheres: politics, economics, cultural and humanitarian ties, technology, education, medicine.

Secondly, a high level of mutual trust has been achieved between the leaders of the two countries. Our relationship is based on the principles of good neighborliness and mutual respect. This spirit moves vertically and horizontally to our societies.

Taking advantage of our meeting, I want to emphasize that in recent years the parties have attached great importance to cultural and humanitarian ties, which create a favorable background for the development of relations in other areas. In Uzbekistan, active efforts are being made to strengthen cultural and humanitarian ties. Branches of 15 leading Russian universities operate in the country, centers for the study of the Russian language are being created, and all-round support is provided to cultural centers. Thus, all conditions are created for the mutual enrichment of our cultures and cooperation in these areas.

I would like to note that Uzbekistan received with great interest the proposal of the President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin at a recent meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the CIS member states to declare 2023 "Russian as a language of interethnic communication in the CIS."

In this regard, Uzbekistan has a great historical experience. For example, in the 70s of Tashkent, a huge forum was held with the participation of representatives of scientific and academic circles "The Russian language is the language of friendship and cooperation of peoples." In this regard, we have a certain experience, our own developments, methodological approaches to holding such events. We will be happy to take part in the proposed activities.

In addition, our relations today have an important strategic direction related to the problems of national and regional security. This is also a confirmation of the high level of mutual trust.

In a word, our ties have reached a completely new level. In practical terms, our relations of strategic partnership and alliance are filled with concrete content.

Frantsev: You touched upon security among the areas of cooperation. In this context, of course, the attention of the entire world community today is riveted to the events taking place in Afghanistan. In early October, you committed a courageous deed by visiting Kabul immediately after the well-known dramatic events and met with representatives of the newly formed government of Afghanistan. Please share your impressions of this visit.

A. Kamilov: We have already talked about this visit and provided information in sufficient detail. But, before moving on to some aspects of the Afghan problem, I would like to congratulate the Russian side on the successful conduct of the Moscow format of consultations on Afghanistan. I carefully read the speech of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Russia Sergey Lavrov, the final statement of the event, the speeches and opinions of all the participants in the meeting.

In principle, the views of Uzbekistan and Russia on the Afghan problem completely coincide. Moreover, it creates a reliable basis for our joint action on such an acute problem as the Afghan issue.

It is necessary to pay attention to the fact that in the course of the Moscow format, key problems were identified that require their solution. Moreover, this was done in a calm spirit, without any claims against each other. The main point was, as far as we understand here, that it is necessary to work with the Taliban.

As for our relations with Afghanistan, we established contacts with the Taliban back in the 90s. In 1999, we held a conference in Uzbekistan inviting their delegation led by Amir Khan Muttaqi, who is today the acting foreign minister [of Afghanistan].

Very well in Sergei Lavrov’s speech [at the meeting of the Moscow format] the idea sounded that this is reality and that you cannot get away from it, therefore we need to work together in this direction. There are no other alternatives.

It’s one thing to have direct contact, to try to influence and encourage, to help. It is another matter, sitting on another continent, to demand the creation of an inclusive government. These are two different things.

From our experience of communicating with Afghans and partners in the Muslim world, I can say that the solution of many important issues in the East has its own specific side, and therefore the existing standard approaches are not always productive. Therefore, we tried to have constant contacts [with Afghan partners].

The other day we invited a large delegation [of Afghanistan] to Termez, headed by Mr. Hanafi, who also led the country’s delegation in the Moscow format. Almost the entire composition of the interim government was present at the negotiations in Termez. We agreed to cooperate not only vertically - at the level of the country’s leadership, but also horizontally, so that each ministry and department would coordinate their actions, moreover, in almost all areas - border security, economic ties, trade, humanitarian aid, education. [Afghan] students are studying in our country and they will continue their studies.

In short, in our understanding, the Taliban are fully aware of the reality. The new government really wants to be integrated into the regional and wider international community. They are ready to take some positive steps. Naturally, after forty years of war and the existence of various ideologies, change will be difficult. Nevertheless, they are already taking some steps that we support, encourage and will work together with them in this regard.

I will give you one specific example: after our trip to Balkh province adjacent to the borders of Uzbekistan, the next day all the girls went to school. Other regions followed suit. The Taliban promise that women will work in education, medicine and other fields. That is, gradually everything is changing. Of course, there is a specificity in Afghanistan, it is a Muslim country with its own traditions, religion and spiritual values. Nevertheless, in our opinion, Afghanistan may well be and worthy to become part of the regional family and the international community. But for this you need to work with them.

Frantsev: The concept of multi-vector. What is Uzbekistan investing in it? What will happen if the country becomes an area of collision of interests of geopolitical opponents?

A. Kamilov: First of all, you cannot put something negative in the concept of “multi-vector”. Any country wants to pursue a multi-vector policy. Another thing is that some succeed, while others do not succeed due to various circumstances. But that’s another question.

A multipolar world is taking shape today. If you live in such a world and rely on a one-sided policy, a one-sided vector, then such a policy will be insufficiently productive and even counterproductive. Moreover, such a course may carry certain risks.

Regarding the rivalry between the major powers, one must be realistic and admit that it is already underway. Moreover, even between states that are outwardly considered quite close. However, this rivalry is taking place in the region. In such conditions, the question arises, what are we going to do? We will do the same as now. This is the first thing.

Unfortunately, the rivalry is gaining momentum as the first signs of a new Cold War appear. This further aggravates the consequences of this phenomenon, since the situation in the world is even more aggravated. We would not want competition and rivalry to have any undesirable political consequences for us. It is unacceptable that they put us in a position where, because of one side, we will be forced to choose a position that is unacceptable to the other side. This difficult task requires serious diplomatic work.

In general, we already have experience in this direction. Central Asia has always been in the spotlight given its geostrategic location. Of course, I don’t want to have any consequences.

If we go back to the origins and root causes of the same Afghan problem, it became, first of all, the result of a tough confrontation between the two political systems during the Cold War era. Therefore, other scenarios have already started.

Therefore, we will continue the line that we are currently pursuing. We have a clear vision and a clear concept. We are not going to enter into conflicts with anyone and will always proceed from our national interests.

Frantsev: You touched upon the situation in Central Asia. We see how much effort Uzbekistan is making to create an atmosphere of mutual trust and cooperation in the region. We are witnessing the creation of a new climate in Central Asia. How does Uzbekistan see the new agenda for regional cooperation?

A. Kamilov: Over the past few years, together with neighboring states, a great deal of work has been done in terms of resolving the accumulated bilateral issues, even in the most sensitive areas. This was the main topic on our agenda. In order to achieve Central Asian solidarity and strengthen the processes of rapprochement, it is necessary, first of all, to settle bilateral problems, followed by a transition to solving regional issues.

A lot of work has been done in our region on the delimitation and demarcation of state borders, the rational use of water resources, the development of transport communications and many other areas. The new level of mutual trust observed today and the positive atmosphere allow us to discuss regional security issues in a businesslike and calm manner.

As for the prospects, I must say frankly: we have decided a lot, but there is still a lot to be done. Questions remain that need to be addressed. But we hope that it will be much easier to solve them, since a completely different political climate has formed. We already have sufficient experience in solving tangled complex problems.

Frantsev: Mr. Minister, thank you very much for the interview and detailed interesting answers!