Senior diplomats from China and Uzbekistan met in Tashkent to discuss Afghanistan’s situation and ways to coordinate regional and international efforts to address the country’s challenges, Uzbekistan’s Foreign Ministry said Tuesday.
The talks between Ismatulla Irgashev, Uzbekistan’s special envoy for Afghanistan, and Yue Xiaoyong, his Chinese counterpart, also covered upcoming high-level events related to Afghanistan, the ministry said in a statement.
It added that the meeting was held in a “constructive atmosphere,” and both sides agreed to strengthen dialogue between Tashkent and Beijing on Afghan affairs.
Neither China nor Uzbekistan has formally recognised the Taliban government, but both countries maintain extensive political and economic contacts with the group.
Uzbek Foreign Minister Bakhtiyor Saidov said in July that during a trip to Kabul he held the country’s “first political consultations” with Taliban leaders. He said Uzbekistan would continue supporting Afghanistan’s integration into regional and global processes aimed at ensuring peace, stability and development.
