On Tuesday May 31, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Tajikistan, Mr. Sirojiddin Muhriddin received the US Special Representative for Afghanistan, Mr. Thomas West.

The Tajik MFA information department says the parties discussed issues related to the current situation in Afghanistan.

In this regard, the two noted the need to cooperate in strengthening borders and providing humanitarian assistance to the Afghan people.

Muhriddin and West also exchanged views on a number of regional and international issues being of mutual interest. 

It is to be noted that on May 27-28, Mr. Thomas West heading the U.S. delegation visited Uzbekistan.  In Tashkent, he held talks with Abdulaziz Kamilov, Deputy Secretary of the Security Council and Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan on May 28.    

After the meeting, Mr. West tweeted that Uzbekistan could play a key role in supporting Afghanistan.  He further noted that Uzbekistan plays a vital role in supporting the people of Afghanistan, and its government is working together on common priorities such as terrorism, human rights, and stability in Afghanistan.

“Had a productive two days in Tashkent, with thanks to H.E. Deputy Secretary of the National Security Council Kamilov, acting FM Norov, and Special Envoy Irgashev,” Mr. West twitted on May 28.

“Uzbekistan is playing a central role in support of Afghan people. Important humanitarian hub in Termez, Tashkent continues to provide Afghanistan with electricity, and Uzbek leadership engaging Taliban on shared priorities: terrorism, human rights, stability,” US Special Representative for Afghanistan noted.

On May 25, the Foreign Ministry of Tajikistan hosted U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Donald Lu and a delegation from the United States for the ninth Tajikistan-USA Annual Bilateral Consultations. 

The delegations, led by Tajik Foreign Minister Sirojiddin Muhriddin and U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Donald Lu, discussed a wide range of issues related to further expansion of bilateral political, economic, scientific and cultural cooperation between Tajikistan and the United States.

The parties also exchanged views on a number of regional and international issues being of mutual interest, including issues of addressing modern threats and challenges, human rights issues and strengthening of bilateral relations within international organizations and so forth.