The Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement on Afghanistan, saying that "Uzbekistan is closely following the development of the situation" in Afghanistan.
The Foreign Ministry supported the statements of the intra-Afghan forces about their readiness to form an inclusive government. “We express the hope that the transit of power in the country will be peaceful and based on a general consensus, taking into account the generally accepted norms of international law,” the statement says. "We are confident that the development of the situation in this direction will lead to the achievement of national accord and facilitate the formation of a strong and capable state."
"The Uzbek authorities firmly declare its commitment to maintaining traditionally friendly and good-neighborly ties with Afghanistan and the principles of non-interference in the internal affairs of the neighboring country," the Foreign Ministry stressed.
The ministry said that the diplomatic missions of Uzbekistan in Kabul and Mazar-i-Sharif are working as usual.
“The Uzbek authorities are maintaining close contacts with representatives of the Taliban movement on issues of ensuring border protection and maintaining calm in the border zone,” the statement emphasized.
“We also firmly declare that any attempts to violate the state boundary of Uzbekistan will be harshly suppressed in line with the laws of Uzbekistan,” the Foreign Ministry said.
