Kabul (BNA) Chairman of the High Council for National Reconciliation, Dr. Abdullah Abdullah leading a high-level delegation arrived in Tashkent on Tuesday evening and met with Abdul Aziz Kamilov, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Uzbekistan here yesterday morning, a statement from the council press office said yesterday.
During the meeting, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Uzbekistan welcomed Dr. Abdullah and his accompanying delegation to Uzbekistan and declared his country’s support for Afghan-led and Afghan-owned peace efforts, saying peace and stability in Afghanistan would bring peace, stability and economic development in the region, according to the council’s press wing.
The Uzbek Foreign Minister added that peace in Afghanistan means peace in the whole region and that the Republic of Uzbekistan supports the Doha peace efforts and negotiations and is ready to assist Afghanistan in this direction, the statement said.
Meanwhile Chairman of the High Council for National Reconciliation thanked the Republic of Uzbekistan for its invitation, noting the long-standing relations between the two countries and the common religious-cultural ties, and appreciated the country’s support for peace efforts. “We thank President of Uzbekistan’s stance at the SCO Summit in support of peace efforts in Afghanistan and for encouraging other members of the Organization to support the process,” Dr. Abdullah said, as quoted in the statement.
He also continued to provide a clear picture of the latest progress in peace efforts, regional support for peace and the latest political-security developments in the country, adding that an exceptional opportunity has been provided for achieving lasting peace in Afghanistan.
“The Islamic Republic of Afghanistan is committed to seizing this opportunity for peace and stability. We also call on the Taliban to seize this opportunity and work for peace. We condemn violence and no one should seek to gain political advantage by increasing violence,” he added.
Dr. Abdullah also said: “Peace in Afghanistan means peace and stability in the region and in Central Asia. The role of the Republic of Uzbekistan as Afghanistan’s neighbor is important in peace efforts.”
He also said that peace in the war-torn country can help secure the region, fight terrorism, extremism and economic development.
