President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev said at a joint press conference with President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday in Moscow that they had given special attention to the situation in Afghanistan during their bilateral talks.
"We are convinced that there is no military solution to the Afghan problem. The only way is through peaceful political talks under the aegis of the United Nations. Uzbekistan supports Russia's efforts to find ways of resolving the Afghan conflict and will attend an extended meeting in Moscow on April 14," he said.
Uzbekistan’s Akipress reported that Mirziyoyev also expressed condolences to family and friends of victims of the St. Petersburg bombing
Uzbekistan greatly values the strategic partnership and alliance between the two countries, he said. "Our meeting once again showed that Uzbekistan and Russia share long-term interests."
"Mr Putin and I, as usual, had an open and confidential exchange of views on key issues of regional security and the international situation. We agreed on concrete measures to further expand our multifaceted practical cooperation," he said.
He said Putin and him gave special attention to the situation in Afghanistan during their bilateral talks.
"We are convinced that there is no military solution to the Afghan problem. The only way is through peaceful political talks under the aegis of the United Nations. Uzbekistan supports Russia's efforts to find ways of resolving the Afghan conflict and will attend an extended meeting in Moscow on April 14," he said.
Tass news agency reported Putin as saying the two countries maintain a constant dialogue at the political level, and develop relations in the sphere of security.
"Uzbekistan's position in the region is very important to us, keeping in mind the tensions that somehow affect us from neighboring countries, primarily from Afghanistan," he said.
"Our countries are working together to strengthen stability and security in Central Asia and assist national reconciliation in Afghanistan and call on the international community to join forces against terrorism, extremism, drug trafficking and organized cross-border crime, coordinate their actions at the UN and successfully cooperate within the CIS and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization," Putin said.