Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- On 29 September, the first summit in the “Central Asia - Germany” format was held in Berlin with the participation of the heads of all Central Asian countries, including the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev and the Federal Chancellor of Germany Olaf Scholz.

At the meeting, prospects for strengthening constructive political dialogue, expanding trade, economic, transport, communications, cultural and humanitarian cooperation between the Central Asian states and Germany were discussed.

In addition, a thorough exchange of views took place on topical issues of ensuring regional security and sustainable development, including in the context of the development of the situation in Afghanistan.

In this regard, it is noteworthy that the head of Uzbekistan again noted the importance of providing humanitarian assistance to the Afghan people.

This statement by the Uzbek leader, on the one hand, demonstrates Uzbekistan’s sincere intention to keep the Afghan issue in the center of attention of the international community, on the other hand, confirms Tashkent’s strong commitment to helping restore the Afghan economy and strengthen peace on Afghan soil.

Uzbekistan, as its closest neighbor, believes that it is impossible to leave Afghanistan in the face of the problems that this country faces today and turn it into an outcast. Today, more than ever, it is important to unite the efforts of the entire world community in strengthening peace and stability in Afghanistan, maintaining its economic development and prosperity.

Ignoring the situation in this country and the policy of isolation can lead to a worsening of the humanitarian situation in Afghanistan, creating the ground for the spread of radical movements and, ultimately, the start of a protracted civil war and an increase in the flow of refugees. The negative consequences of these processes will first be felt by neighboring states, and then by distant ones.

That is why Uzbekistan stands for consolidating the efforts of the international community and making its feasible contribution to the socio-economic restoration of Afghanistan. Since September 2021, Tashkent has sent more than 6 shipments of humanitarian cargo with a total weight of more than 10 thousand tons to Kabul.

In addition, on the initiative of Uzbekistan, the international transport and logistics hub “Termez Cargo Center” for the delivery of humanitarian aid to Afghanistan was created and today operates effectively in Termez, an Educational Center for Afghan citizens operates, and construction has begun in the Surkhandarya region of an international trade zone.

But Tashkent is not limited to this and is taking active steps to implement various infrastructure and social projects in Afghanistan. A clear indication of this can be the initiatives promoted by Uzbekistan to build the Termez-Mazar-i-Sharif-Kabul-Peshawar railway and the Surkhan-Puli-Khumri power line in Afghanistan.

Along with this, today Tashkent is taking steps to unite the efforts of the entire world community and develop a unified international approach to the Afghan issue.

The implementation of a coherent and coordinated policy towards Afghanistan will bring together the positions of various states in this direction and will contribute to its speedy recovery from the current difficult socio-economic situation. All this will undoubtedly create a solid foundation for ensuring long-term peace on Afghan soil.

Overall, rebuilding the Afghan economy is key to consolidating peace in the neighboring country. At the same time, Tashkent and Berlin share a common vision and similar approaches in the Afghan direction. Like the entire world community, Uzbekistan and Germany are interested in a peaceful and stable Afghanistan.

Umarbek Nuriddinov,

Leading researcher at ISMI

under the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan