EU and Uzbekistan Stress Need for International Co-ordination for Afghan Stability

In a virtual meeting, Ismatilla Ergashev and Tomas Nicholson, the respective Uzbekistan and European Union Envoys for Afghanistan, concurred on the critical need for unified international efforts to establish peace and stability in Afghanistan.

They highlighted that without a consolidated stance from the global community towards Afghanistan's new regime, achieving stability remains an elusive goal.

Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in a statement, announced that both parties emphasised the vital role of the United Nations in Afghanistan and the necessity for co-ordinated international actions.

Uzbekistan's President, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, had previously expressed concerns that global conflicts might divert attention away from Afghan issues. At the meeting of the heads of the Organisation of Turkic States in Astana, he advocated for a mechanism to address the challenges faced by the Afghan people. Mirziyoyev underscored that establishing peace in Afghanistan, a nation deeply connected with Turkish nations for millennia, is essential for regional stability and strategic security.

Despite not recognising the Taliban regime, Uzbekistan has continued engaging with the group, even while critiquing certain actions like the construction of the Qosh Tepe Canal.