F.P. Report
TASHKENT: Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman met on Sunday with Uzbekistan Foreign Minister Abdulaziz Kamil-ov and an interagency delegation that included Nati-onal Security Advisor Vik-tor Makhmudov, Minister of Justice Ruslanbek Dav-latov, and Special Represe-ntative of the President of Uzbekistan for Afghanistan Ismatullah Irgashev.
The Deputy Secretary congratulated Foreign Minister Kamilov and the Uzbek people on Uzbekistan’s 30th year of independence and thanked them for Uzbekistan’s constructive engagement on Afghanistan.
The Deputy Secretary and Minister Kamilov discussed their joint efforts to combat COVID-19 through vaccine distribution.
The Deputy Secretary reaffirmed the importance of the U.S.-Uzbekistan strategic partnership and welcomed Uzbekistan’s leadership on regional and transnational issues through the C5+1 format, including its commitment to set ambitious targets to lower greenhouse gas emissions by 2030.
Sherman stressed the importance of continued progress on democratic reforms and promoting respect for human rights as Uzbekistan pursues its reform agenda.
According to TASS news service, the situation in Central Asia and in Afghanistan was the focus of talks between Uzbek Foreign Minister Abdulaziz Kamilov and visiting US Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman, Uzbek Foreign Ministry Spoke-sperson Yusup Kabulzhan-ov informed on Sunday.
“The sides exchanged views on the situation in the region and developments in Afghanistan. They noted the necessity of promoting the process of broad national reconciliation and forming an inclusive government in Afghanistan, ensuring fundamental human rights and freedoms in the country, preventing a hum-anitarian crisis,” he said, adding that the Uzbek delegation to the talks included Uzbek Security Council Secretary Viktor Makhm-udov and Justice Minister Ruslanbek Davletov.
