Uzbekistan wants to host intra-Afghan peace parleys

KABUL (Pajhwok): Uzbekistan has voiced its willingness to host a subsequent round of Afghan peace negotiations that are expected to begin soon in Doha.

At a meeting with officials from Afghanistan and the United States in Tashkent on Wednesday, Uzbekistan’s Deputy Foreign Minister Furkat Sidikov said they were ready to host the Afghan peace parleys.

The Uzbek delegation was led by Sidikov and the US team by Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Afghanistan Nancy Jackson. Deputy Foreign Minister Mirwais Naab headed the Afghan team.

The trilateral meeting, according to Uzbekistan’s News Agency, conferred on efforts for peace in Afghanistan and the role of Uzbekistan in this process.

Strengthening the political dialogue among the parties, expanding cooperation on human rights, religious freedom and human trafficking were also discussed.

Boosting bilateral trade and economic links, accelerating implementation of transport, communications, infrastructure and investment projects and promoting the recovery of the Afghan economy also figured at the event.

The parties called for developing and implementing a comprehensive peace programme for Afghanistan on the basis of consolidated regional and global approaches.

“Participants welcomed the decision to hold the first round of intra-Afghan talks in Doha. The Uzbek side expressed its readiness to organise one of the subsequent rounds of negotiations in Samarkand.”

PAN Monitor/mud