Speaking at solemn ceremony in Tashkent dedicated to the 20th anniversary of Constitution of Uzbekistan, Islam Karimov indicated to growing security threat in the region, connected with withdrawal of alliance forces from Afghanistan.

Uzbek leader stated that there is serious concern over possible escalation of situation in Afghanistan and around the country due to withdrawal of ISAF forces from the country in 2014. He said that ISAF force withdrawal can intensify terrorism, extremism and drug trafficking threats. He said that conflict can go beyond Afghanistan border.

Uzbek President said that according some experts, developments in this direction can turn current confrontation to conflicts between nations and peoples and resumption of civil war in Afghanistan, emergence of new security threats in the region.

Islam Karimov said: “We firmly believe that in the current situation to prevent such negative developments there is need to go back to the earlier discussion and the most viable option - creation of Contact Group on Afghanistan under the auspices of the UN, which would include neighboring countries to Afghanistan, the U.S., NATO and Russia", - said the President.

Uzbek President said that the main aim of the Contact Group on Afghanistan should be reconciliation of opposing forces and formation of a coalition government. He added that such government should include representatives of main ethnic and religious groups.

President Islam Karimov added that there is no other alternative to solve this issue.

President of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov underlined that Uzbekistan builds and will build its relations with Afghanistan based on respect of mutual interests and respect development way, selected by the people of Afghanistan.