Uzbekistan proposes recognition of the Taliban government

Uzbekistan proposed developing mechanisms and criteria for international recognition of the Taliban-led interim Government of Afghanistan. This proposal has been made by Sardor Umurzakov, Deputy Prime Minister- and the Minister of Investment and Foreign Trade, at the third Ministerial Conference of Neighboring States to Afghanistan on 30-31 March in Xuangcheng, China.

The conference was attended by government members and foreign ministers from Russia, China, Iran, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.
Within the framework of the conference, the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the countries neighboring Afghanistan met with a delegation of the Interim Government of Afghanistan, headed by the acting Minister of Foreign Affairs of Afghanistan Amir Khan Muttaki. The foreign ministers of Indonesia and Qatar also attended as guests.

Speaking at the conference, Sardor Umurzakov stressed the need to strengthen the coordination of regional cooperation aimed at overcoming the existing problems in Afghanistan, including reviving the national economy, solving social problems and promoting the normalization of the country. Developing a mechanism and criteria for international recognition of the interim Government of Afghanistan has been suggested. It was noted that these measures would accelerate the country’s integration into the regional space and the world community.

He also expressed the faithfulness of the Uzbek side to continue cooperation with the countries of the region, partner countries and Afghanistan in all priority areas, including the implementation of major infrastructure projects aimed at accelerating economic recovery and improving the living standards of the Afghan people.
At the end of the meeting, the parties adopted a joint statement and a «Tunsi initiative» to support the economic recovery of Afghanistan.

It should be noted that during the conference, Umurzakov met with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. The Russian Minister discussed the special operation in Ukraine, as well as the situation in Afghanistan, in the meeting with the Deputy Prime Minister of Uzbekistan.