Special envoys of the United States for Afghanistan, Thomas West and Rina Amiri, will attend the Uzbekistan conference where representatives of at least 20 countries will discuss Afghanistan, with a primary focus on economic projects.
“During the conference, the US delegation will join the international community to underscore our unwavering support for the Afghan people and to call on the Taliban to fulfill their commitments to the Afghan people and the international community,” the statement said.
The US said the international community is committed to a stable, peaceful, and inclusive Afghanistan that respects all Afghans’ human rights and fundamental freedoms.
Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the meeting is aimed at promoting literacy, security and reconstruction in Afghanistan and rejoining Afghanistan in regional cooperation processes.
The meeting was initially planned to start on Monday, July 25, but it was delayed one day. Issues around Afghanistan’s economy and politics will be discussed at the conference.
Representatives of the US, Russia, EU, China, Britain, Japan, Iran, Pakistan and other Asian countries will attend the conference to discuss the formation of an inclusive government, girls’ access to education, women’s access to the right to work, and a recall on the international community to increase its assistance to the Afghan people.
Sources said the meetings are aimed at lobbying for the recognition of the Taliban government.
A Taliban delegation led by Amir Khan Muttaqi held meetings with Uzbekistan officials, including the Uzbek foreign minister, national security adviser and presidential envoy on Monday.
“The Tashkent meeting will somehow help to solve Afghanistan’s economic issues,” said Tariq Farhadi, an analyst.
“Uzbekistan has good relations with its neighbors and is trying to create a coordination to prevent the continuation of political and security crisis because, if continued, it will damage political stability in Uzbekistan and other countries in Central Asia,” said Mahdi Afzali, an analyst in international affairs.
No country has so far recognized the Taliban government. However, some countries, including Pakistan, Iran, China, Russia and Turkey and some Central Asian countries have maintained their diplomatic ties with the Taliban.
