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President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev said this today during a trip to Navoi region. The President of Uzbekistan spoke about the course of negotiations with representatives of the Taliban movement in Afghanistan.

“If we watched it on TV, their leader in Doha, Mr. Barodar, also spoke out and promised that not a single bullet would fly towards Uzbekistan. Due to the fact that he keeps his word, it is natural that we will talk with them,” Mirziyoyev told reporters and bloggers during a trip to Navoi region. The recording of his speech was posted on the Telegram channels of local bloggers.

The President noted that the Uzbek authorities began talking with the Taliban two years ago. “When no country had contacted them yet, I gave instructions that it was necessary to establish contact,” said Shavkat Mirziyoyev.