The Uzbek Foreign Ministry on Monday dismissed reports alleging that the Taliban had opened its political office in Tashkent, noting that the issue was not on the agenda.
TASHKENT (Pakistan Point News / Sputnik - 13th August, 2018) The Uzbek Foreign Ministry on Monday dismissed reports alleging that the Taliban had opened its political office in Tashkent, noting that the issue was not on the agenda.
On Saturday, the ministry said that its officials met with a delegation from Talibans political office on August 6-10. According to the ministry, the sides exchanged views on the prospects for peace settlement in Afghanistan. On Sunday, Reuters reported, citing a Taliban official, that the movement had opened a political office in Tashkent.
"This issue was not discussed. There are no plans to open any office," a spokesman for the ministry told Sputnik, when asked to comment on the issue.
Uzbekistan is involved in the Moscow format of Afghan reconciliation talks. In late July, Russian Ambassador in Kabul Alexander Mantytskiy told Sputnik that preparations for their next round were underway, noting that the talks may be held in late August.
The security situation in Afghanistan has been unstable for years as the government continues to fight Taliban militants over the control of the state.
