Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev warned that the international community continues to underestimate the threats emanating from Afghanistan, including terrorism, extremism, radicalism, drug trafficking, and illegal migration. He made these remarks on Friday during the inaugural Central Asia-European Union Summit held in Samarkand.
Calling for enhanced cooperation between Central Asia and the European Union, Mirziyoyev welcomed a European proposal to launch a dialogue on counter terrorism. “We support the European proposal to launch a counterterrorism dialogue,” he stated, according to a statement on the Uzbek presidency’s official website.
Reaffirming Uzbekistan’s commitment to Afghanistan’s peaceful progress, the president said it was essential to engage Afghanistan in regional economic processes through investment, infrastructure development, and the restoration of the social sector. “We hope for support in fostering constructive dialogue with Afghan authorities to meet current commitments,” he added.
Describing Uzbekistan’s Afghan policy as “pragmatic and strategic,” Mirziyoyev said that critics of Tashkent’s engagement with the Taliban have now come to appreciate its value. In a recent interview with Euronews, he contrasted Uzbekistan’s proactive diplomatic and economic stance with the reluctance shown by others.
Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid responded by praising Mirziyoyev’s remarks, stating that they reflect the ground realities of Afghanistan.
The summit, chaired by President Mirziyoyev, brought together the leaders of Central Asian countries, European Council President Antonio Costa, and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. Discussions focused on strengthening political dialogue, economic cooperation, green energy, transport, innovation, education, culture, and regional security.
