MONITORING (SW) – The top US peace envoy for Afghanistan has held talks with senior Central Asian diplomats in connection with his latest shuttle diplomacy.
In a series of tweets, Zalmay Khalilzad, US special representative for Afghanistan reconciliation, said he wrapped up good meetings in Tashkent. 'Started the day with FM Kamilov & Special Rep Irgashev and then were joined by the Foreign Ministers that make up the remaining C5+1 (Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic)', he said.
He said the group discussed the latest on the peace process and the critical role Central Asia has played and will continue to play in pursuit of peace; how it will benefit from peace with increased regional connectivity, trade and development.
He said the US appreciates the cooperation and assistance of the C5+1. "We will need to work together to promote & encourage a political settlement when intra-Afghan Negotiations begin. Work towards the shared goals of economic resilience, regional connectivity & integration starts now", he tweeted.
"A stable and prosperous Afghanistan is critical for regional peace, security, and prosperity in Central Asia; a Central Asia made up of sovereign & independent states working together with Afghanistan bridging to South Asia is in the interest of the region and of the US", he said.
The US envoy said they discussed investments in each country and cross-border opportunities. "We also explored what a pooled, regional development fund might look like", he added.
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