TASHKENT. Sept 9 (Interfax) - Uzbek Foreign Minister Abdulaziz Kamilov has stressed the need to draw up a post-conflict strategy for Afghanistan and its swift reconstruction.
On Wednesday, the minister attended a ministerial meeting on Afghanistan organized by the United States Department of State and the German Federal Foreign Office, Uzbek Foreign Ministry spokesperson Yusup Kabulzhanov told Interfax.
"In his speech, the foreign minister of Uzbekistan emphasized the need to devise a post-conflict strategy for Afghanistan, including for its swift economic recovery and participation in regional integration processes and infrastructure projects," Kabulzhanov said.
The minister reaffirmed Uzbekistan's position of non-interference in the affairs of its neighbor, he said.
"Uzbekistan is firmly committed to maintaining friendly and good neighborly relations with Afghanistan, observing neutrality and non-interference in the internal affairs of the neighboring country," Kamilov was quoted by Kabulzhanov as saying.
The meeting was held by video link and attended by foreign ministers from over 20 countries, as well as UN, EU, and NATO representatives.
The attendees discussed the current situation in Afghanistan, consolidation of efforts to settle the country's crisis, and humanitarian aid for the population.
It was noted that it is important that the Taliban (banned in Russia) honor their obligations to protect fundamental human rights and freedoms, in particular the rights of women and ethnic minorities, and to prevent terrorist activities in Afghanistan.
Earlier, Uzbekistan said it was ready for dialogue with the new Afghan government.
"We are ready to develop constructive dialogue and practical interaction with the new authorities of Afghanistan," the Uzbek Foreign Ministry said in a statement.