Uzbek Foreign Minister Abdulaziz Kamilov to conclude US trip
Uzbekistan’s Foreign Minister Abdulaziz Kamilov will conclude his eight-day trip to the United States today.
Kamilov and his delegation visited several federal departments and held meetings with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin. These meetings focused on regional security in Central Asia; a plan for Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Kazakhstan to temporarily house Afghan citizens who assisted the US war effort in Afghanistan before its September withdrawal from the country; and Uzbekistan’s progress on human rights and democratic reforms.
Expect the United States to look to Uzbekistan as a vital ally as the American withdrawal from Afghanistan nears completion. Uzbekistan can play a significant role in maintaining security around Afghanistan and will enable the U.S. to continue its presence in Central Asia by working to ensure stability in Afghanistan through intelligence and surveillance operations. Uzbekistan can also provide safe zones for Afghan refugees who may be subject to persecution under the Taliban. Expect Uzbekistan to be supportive of an American presence in the region as it will reduce the threat of the Taliban taking control of districts bordering Uzbekistan.
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