Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- The West can support the people of Afghanistan through Central Asia, writes The Diplomat.

While Western governments are choosing to wait out the crisis in Afghanistan, neighboring countries are choosing a more pragmatic path that is much more likely to produce results. In particular, Uzbekistan’s approach is already producing results:

– the Friendship Bridge in Termez serves as a vital channel for the delivery of humanitarian aid to Afghanistan and one of the most important transport corridors to this country;

– the international transport and logistics hub “Termez Cargo Center”, located in close proximity to Afghanistan, is used by international organizations and performs an important intermediary function in the supply of humanitarian aid;

– to restore the socio-economic situation in Afghanistan, develop trade relations with the states of Central Asia, Uzbekistan is creating a free economic zone and an International Trade Center in Termez;

– Tashkent is promoting a railway through Afghan territory with access to Pakistani ports, and is also expanding the existing electricity transmission network within Afghanistan.

Supporting these initiatives could represent a pragmatic approach through which the West could open up a new role for itself in addressing the situation in Afghanistan.