Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- The first meeting of special representatives of states neighboring Afghanistan took place in Tashkent. The event was attended by representatives of Uzbekistan, Iran, China, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Russia.

The participants discussed the current situation in Afghanistan. The key emphasis was placed on the rapid provision of humanitarian assistance to the country, the more active involvement of Afghanistan in the process of regional interconnectedness, as well as the revision by the new authorities of Kabul of discriminatory measures against Afghan women.

The parties stressed that ensuring the right to work and education for Afghan women should become an integral part of the new society of Afghanistan and contribute to the final establishment of peace and stability in the country.

The delegations positively noted the initiative of Uzbekistan to create, under the auspices of the UN, a High-Level International Negotiating Group to prepare and agree with the Afghan authorities an algorithm for the phased fulfillment of the obligations of the parties.

The participants, pointing out that all terrorist groups based in Afghanistan continue to pose a serious threat to regional and global security, strongly called on the current de facto Afghan authorities to take more effective measures to eliminate terrorist groups in the country.

The parties stressed the importance of the interim government of Afghanistan continuing to take effective steps to prevent the growth of the drug threat, to intensify the fight against drug production and trafficking.

The participants of the meeting reached an agreement to hold the 4th meeting of the heads of foreign affairs agencies of countries neighboring Afghanistan in Uzbekistan in accordance with the Tunxing Declaration.

Following the meeting, a joint statement was adopted.