Speaking at international roundtable “Current affairs and perspectives of ensuring security in Afghanistan” in Tashkent, Vladimir Norov said settlement of situation in Afghanistan is one of the important problems of the present. Currently, the problem refers not only to Afghanistan or its neighbors, but also negatively impacts regional and global security.

Uzbek Foreign Minister said that despite efforts of international communication and coalition forces in Afghanistan situation is worsening in the country. Selected “Afghan Strategy” of international community, unfortunately, is not bringing expected results. He expressed concern with activation of destructive forces in northern Afghanistan, in particular in Balkh, Kunduz and other provinces, which were considered as secure parts of the country for some time.

The Uzbek official said that this is connected with significant change of Talib’s fight tactics against coalition forces. At the same time, use of “live bombs” or suicide terrorists became integral part of such tactics in recent time. None of attacks to Afghan forces or international coalition is not carried out without them, he added.

Vladimir Norov said that number of civil population, becoming victim of conflict, is increasing. According the UN data, 1,200 Afghan people died and 2,000 people wounded in the first half of 2010, which is up 30% year-on-year, he underlined.

Norov said: “Simultaneously death toll among coalition forces is increasing and reached 2,100 people at the beginning of 2010.” He also pointed to increasing discontent in the West in connection with participation of their troops in Afghan campaign.

The Uzbek official said that ability of Afghan government independently ensure stability in the country and establish control in all provinces become key problem. He said taking into account situation in Afghanistan, it is impossible for the Afghan Government to establish control in all country within a year or two.

“Speaking Afghanistan, it is impossible to touch such important problem as activity of international drug traders and inexistence of effective strategy to combating this evil. It is not secret that Afghanistan today is dangerous source, per se, hotbed of international drug traffic, feeding such threats and challenges to the region as terrorism, religious and political extremism, weapon trade, trans-boundary organized crime and others,” he said.

The Uzbek official said that situation in Afghanistan is worsening due to inexistence of regional approach to its settlement. He said that complex regional mechanism of interaction on Afghan problem could prevent spread of conflict out of Afghanistan borders on various unfavorable scenarios. The regional approach could also help to solve problem both in Afghanistan and neighboring territories.

Foreign Minister Vladimir Norov recalled initiative President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov on creation of contact group on Afghanistan under aegis of the UN, which would include all six neighboring states with Afghanistan, as well as US, Russia and NATO.

Norov said that recent situation in Afghanistan proves rightfulness view of the Uzbek President that it is impossible to solve Afghan problem with use of military force or means. He added that this passion is receiving support from many states, which participate in establishing peace in Afghanistan.

The Uzbek Foreign Minister said that many experts believe that Uzbekistan has clear historic understanding of Afghan problem, strengthened with multi-century cultural and economic links of two nations. Many reckon that inefficient war under name of “fight against terrorism” could be avoided if international community accepted deeply weighted initiatives of Uzbekistan.

Being neighboring state with Afghanistan and observing developments for last 30 years, Uzbekistan believes that current situation is dictating necessity to fully review approach to settlement of Afghan problem and seek common ground and compromise solutions in interest of Afghan people, he said.

Vladimir Norov said purpose of initiative of Uzbekistan is that problems in Afghanistan should be solved by Afghan people themselves at assistance of those countries, which are interested in end of war in the country. These countries are USA and Russia, as well as NATO, connected with peacemaking mission, and neighboring states of Afghanistan.

Important goals of “6+3 contact group” are to offer programme on ending military actions in Afghanistan, compromise solutions on main key problems and contradictions, he said.

The Uzbek official said at the same time, the programme should pay attention to rendering economic assistance, realizing social, infrastructure and humanitarian projects, solving problems with employments, sharp tasks on fighting with poverty and lawlessness. He said the multi-century traditions, customs and values of Islam religion, adhered by people in Afghanistan, should be respected.

Uzbek Foreign Minister Vladimir Norov stated that implementation of tasks within the “6+3” contact group should be started while coalition forces are in Afghanistan. It is important not to miss momentum.

Norov also said Uzbekistan contributes to peaceful construction and rehabilitation of war-torn Afghanistan. Uzbekistan participated in important projects in transport infrastructure, energy, communication, construction and other directions.

He said that the Uzbek side constructed 10 bridges between Mazar-e-Sharif and Kabul. Over 6 million tonnes of humanitarian and other cargo were transported through territory of Uzbekistan from October 2003 to June 2009.

Uzbekistan is also constructing railway Hairaton-Mazar-e-Sharifin in Afghanistan at the financial support of the Asian Development Bank. The railroad extension will comprise 75 km. At the end of September, total extension of constructed railway made up about 70 km, he said.

He said since 2002 Uzbekistan supplies electricity to Uzbekistan. After launch of power supply line 220, the volume of electricity supply to Afghanistan supply 80 megawatt. The cooperation between countries in energy sector, Kabul has 24-hour energy supply. In future, it is planned to increase electricity supply to 300 megawatt.

The Uzbek official also recalled that Uzbekistan is assisting anti-terrorism campaign from its star. NATO and US forces are transporting non-military cargo through Uzbekistan to Afghanistan, he said.

Vladimir Norov said assisting rehabilitation process in Afghanistan, Uzbekistan adheres to policy on preserving, developing and supporting good neighborhood with this country.

“We in Uzbekistan clearly understand that achievement of peace and stability in Afghanistan is key factor in regional and global security, opening great opportunity for solving important issues of sustainable social-economic development of all states and people, living in Central Asia,” he concluded.