1. #Uzbekistan Special Rep on #Afghanistan, Ismatulla Irgashev argues 🇺🇿 "is not taking a risk" by supporting #Taliban. "The Taliban rule of Afghanistan is a fact. For the first time in 40+ years, country has a government without foreign interference."
2. Irgashev insists #Uzbekistan's #Afghanistan approach is the right path, partnership with #Taliban is already bearing fruits. "Afghanistan is relatively more peaceful now. There is order there... Kabul consults with us, is open for our proposals... We have a common future."
3. When, under what terms will #Uzbekistan recognize #Taliban govt in #Afghanistan? "We won't do it alone," says Ismatulla Irgashev, President Mirziyoyev's Special Rep on #Afghanistan. "We believe this should be a collective decision with our partners." (US, Central Asia, etc.)
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1. #Uzbekistan has long claimed to be talking with all political parties in #Afghanistan. Is Tashkent still doing that or just working with the #Taliban at this point? President Mirziyoyev's Special Representative Ismatulla Irgashev confirms... @uzbekmfa
2. #Uzbekistan mainly deals with #Taliban and maintains contact with former president Hamid Karzai and former CEO Abdullah Abdullah. "Those who left are out of the picture," says Irgashev referring to Ashraf Ghani and others. How about Uzbek leader Marshal Abdul Rashid Dostum?
3. Irgashev denies that #Uzbekistan had an exclusive relationship with Dostum even though many in Tashkent and Afghanistan would say otherwise. For Mirziyoyev admin, special rep explains, only those staying behind matter. "We'll work with them if they make themselves relevant."
1. #Uzbekistan President's Special Rep on #Afghanistan Ismatulla Irgashev argues it's unreasonable to expect #Taliban to deliver everything the world wants right away, such as educational/academic development. "They don't have expertise and resources."
2. Why isn't #Uzbekistan supporting ethnic Uzbek scholars who fled the #Taliban, by welcoming them as many wish? Irgashev says Tashkent is focused on those inside #Afghanistan and that it will continue aiding them in any way it can. "We are in touch with the Uzbek communities."
3. Irgashev says #Uzbekistan has been urging #Taliban to allow girls to go to school. "Because of our push, schools are opening in Balkh." He admits the Taliban must do a lot more to improve the situation. INTW w/ 🇺🇿President's Special Rep on Afghanistan: