Uzbek leader calls Afghanistan to resume Taleban talks

Speaking at the conference “Policy of neutrality: international cooperation for peace, security and development” in Ashgabat, Uzbek leader said the current situation in neighbouring Afghanistan can be described as a slow confrontation between two sides - mainly the government troops and the Taleban.

He said that removal of ISAF forces and decreasing of external financing of Afghanistan worsen the situation in the country.

He said: “We see the outcome of this - the vacuum formed by the withdrawal of international forces from this country is already being filled by aggressive, terrorist groups who are being pushed out of the Middle East.”

“I am confident that, no matter how the situation develops in Afghanistan, there is no solution to the Afghan problem except peaceful political talks between the main confronting sides under the aegis of the UN. It is important to resume the negotiations process between the government and the Taleban,” Uzbek President said.

“At the same time, the parties should not bind start of negotiations to any preconditions. Any problem that may emerge should become a subject for talks instead of being a barrier. A strong political will and readiness for mutual concessions and compromises is need,” Islam Karimov noted/

“Compromise, again compromise and mutual concessions of the confronting sides - this is what can end the Afghan deadlock,” he stated.

He said that position of Uzbekistan on settlement of Afghan crisis is open and clear. Uzbekistan developed and will develop relations with Afghanistan based on both countries’ national interests and the principal policy of non-interference in the domestic issues, the President said. The Uzbek President pointed out that that’s why Uzbekistan made a fundamental choice – to conduct a peaceful policy and not to engage in military-political alliances and coalitions, to prevent on its territory the stationing of foreign military bases and not to participate in peacekeeping operations abroad.