On March 6-9, a government delegation of Uzbekistan headed by Foreign Minister Abdulaziz Kamilov visited the United States, the Uzbek Foreign Ministry said. Reportedly, the meeting was organized in accordance with the agreements reached at the inaugural meeting of the Strategic Partnership Dialogue in December 2021.
At the talks between Abdulaziz Kamilov and Anthony Blinken on March 9, they discussed preparations for the next dialogue meeting scheduled for this year in Washington, the state and the ways to further advance bilateral ties, the regional security and stability, including the humanitarian situation in neighboring Afghanistan.
The U.S. Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken, noting the two countries’ active cooperation bilaterally and through the C5+1 regional diplomatic platform, thanked Foreign Minister Kamilov for Uzbekistan’s continued partnership. The Secretary emphasized that Russia’s premeditated, unprovoked, and unjustified attack on Ukraine is a flagrant violation of international law and underscored the urgency of broad support for a rules-based order.
The Secretary commended Uzbekistan’s humanitarian support for the people of Ukraine and Afghanistan and reiterated the United States’ intention to never allow terrorists to use Afghanistan as a safehaven. The Secretary encouraged continued progress on Uzbekistan’s reform agenda, including improving the business climate, promoting rule of law, and protecting human rights and fundamental freedoms. He reaffirmed U.S. support for Uzbekistan’s sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity.
