Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- During his speech at the third sectional session: “Regional security. Challenges and Threats” of the international high-level conference “Central and South Asia: Regional Connectivity. Challenges and Opportunities” US Special Representative for Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad thanked the President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev for the idea of holding this high-level event.

According to him, this is a wise initiative, thanks to which the historical ties that existed between Central and South Asia in the past are being revived. The American diplomat believes that connectivity will promote development and economic growth, which in turn will reduce security threats. This was clearly demonstrated by the example of Europe and Southeast Asia, which were able to build strong mechanisms of cooperation.

Z. Khalilzad paid special attention to the current situation in Afghanistan. The American diplomat acknowledged that the situation in Afghanistan has deteriorated in recent weeks. At the same time, the US Special Representative for Afghanistan expressed confidence in the possibility of a peaceful settlement of the conflict.

For this it is necessary to create a number of conditions. First of all, all parties to the Afghan conflict should take part in resolving the conflict. And finally, Afghanistan should not pose a threat to neighboring countries and the international community as a whole, he concluded.

At the event, which takes place on 15-16 July, President of Afghanistan Ashraf Ghani, Prime Minister of Pakistan Imran Khan, High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Vice President of the European Commission Josep Borrell, US Special Representative for Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad, as well as heads and deputies heads of foreign policy departments, delegations from more than 40 countries and 30 international organizations, experts from authoritative research and analytical structures took part.