8 Subh, Kabul: Abdullah, Chairman of the High Council for National Reconciliation, on a visit to Tashkent on Wednesday, met with Abdulaziz Kamilov, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan. At the meeting, Kamilov said that his country supports the Afghan-led peace efforts and recognizes its ownership of the process. He said that peace and stability in Afghanistan is in the interest of stability and development of the region’s economy. The Uzbek Foreign Minister added that peace in Afghanistan means peace in the entire region and that Tashkent supports Doha’s efforts towards peace and dialogue.
Following the statement of the Sapedar Palace, the Chairman of the High Council for National Reconciliation met with the Uzbek Foreign Minister to present a clear picture of recent developments in the peace process, regional support for peace efforts and the recent political and security developments in Afghanistan.
He described the current opportunity for obtaining peace as exceptional. Abdullah said that Afghanistan was committed to seizing this opportunity. Abdullah also called on the Taliban to seize the opportunity to reach peace.
The head of the High Council for National Reconciliation condemned the escalation of violence in the country. He said that no one should have the political privilege of waging violence. Abdullah described peace in Afghanistan as necessary for peace in the region and in Central Asia. According to him, Uzbekistan’s role as Afghanistan’s neighbor is important in the latter’s quest for peace. Abdullah said that “peace in Afghanistan can help us secure the region, fight terrorism and extremism and in economic development.” Uzbekistan has, in the past, announced its readiness to host the Afghan Peace Talks.
