Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) – On 14 October 2020, an international online webinar "Stabilization and Interconnection in European-Uzbek-Afghan Relations" was held in the "Chatham House" format.

During an online dialogue organized by the German Foundation Friedrich Ebert in Central Asia, together with the Institute for Strategic and Interregional Studies under the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, representatives of foreign affairs agencies, heads and leading experts of analytical centers of the EU, Germany, Afghanistan and Uzbekistan reviewed the state and prospects of mutually beneficial cooperation in achieving long-term and sustainable peace in Afghanistan.

The main speakers were the EU Special Representative for Central Asia P. Burian, First Deputy Director of the ISMI A. Nematov, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Afghanistan to the Federal Republic of Germany Y. Yari, representative of the Foundation. Friedrich Ebert in Afghanistan M. Kirchner, Director of the Afghanistan Assessment and Research Group O. Nemat.

Commenting on the launch of negotiations between the Taliban movement and the government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan in Doha, the representative of the ISMI A. Nematov noted that this is a historic chance to put an end to the long-term war in Afghanistan. According to him, the negotiations will not be easy, this is only the beginning of a very difficult path. However, according to the expert, there is no other alternative, the settlement of the situation in Afghanistan is possible exclusively through political dialogue and the implementation of an inclusive peace process by the Afghans themselves and under the leadership of the Afghans themselves.

Noting the need to ensure the continuity and progress of the peace process, A. Nematov pointed out that further strengthening of the comprehensive and long-term Uzbek-European partnership can play an important role in the process of achieving peace in Afghanistan. The basis is the common understanding that peace and stability in Afghanistan is a key condition for the security and sustainable development of the Eurasian space.

It was emphasized that for the stabilization of the situation in Afghanistan, one of the most important factors is the restoration of the peaceful economy of the Islamic Republic, where Uzbekistan and the European Union have a great untapped potential. This will not only make it possible to form a socio-economic basis for a peaceful political process, but can also make a significant contribution to eliminating conditions for the activities of extremist, terrorist and other criminal groups, which fully meets the interests of both Uzbekistan and the European Union.

In this regard, it was noted the importance of focusing joint efforts on the implementation of infrastructure, socio-economic and transport-logistics projects in Afghanistan, which will contribute to the long-term stabilization of this country, radically change the architecture of regional interaction and create favorable conditions for further sustainable development of the entire Eurasian space.

The implementation of joint programs in the field of trade, energy and transport in the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, ensuring trans-regional interconnection, according to A. Nematov, can serve as an important factor in the formation of regional and international consensus on the need to achieve an early peace in Afghanistan.

All this will give a powerful impetus to the expansion and deepening of cooperation between Central and South Asia and the European continent. In this context, as A. Nematov stressed, the countries of Central Asia, which have reached a high level of consolidation in recent years, can be reliable partners of the European Union in a political settlement of the situation and the restoration of a peaceful economy in Afghanistan.