A roundtable titled “Central Asia: nuclear free zone” was held in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.

The event was organized by Embassy of Kazakhstan in Uzbekistan in cooperation with the Institute of Strategic Inter-regional research under the President of Uzbekistan. It was attended by representatives of analytical centers, research and education institutes, ministries and departments of Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan, heads of diplomatic missions in Tashkent.

The event was dedicated to the 20th anniversary of proposal of the Uzbek President Islam Karimov on creation of the Central Asian nuclear free zone and next anniversary of signing of the agreement on creation nuclear free zone in Central Asia.

Professor of University of World Languages and Diplomacy N. Tulyaganova underlined that the initiative of Uzbekistan was based on international experience in the field of nuclear non-proliferation and determining own role in strengthening global safety. She said that initiative of the Uzbek President was supported by the majority of the UN member states and such organizations as the International Atomic Energy Agency, OSCE, Organization of Islamic Cooperation, etc.

The participants highly rated role and importance of the agreement on nuclear free trade zone in Central Asia in ensuring regional safety. Ambassador of Kazakhstan to Uzbekistan Boribay Jeksembin said that signing of the agreement, the countries of the Central Asia stated their strong adherence to norms and principles of international law in non-proliferation. He said that Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan contributed to strengthening of nuclear non-proliferation regime and decreasing mass destruction weapon in the region.

Experts also discussed factors, determining modern state of nuclear non-proliferation regime. During the constructive discussion, the participants considered challenges and threats in the field of non-proliferation, preventing illegal movement of nuclear technologies and materials, etc.

The roundtable participants underlined that Uzbekistan recommended itself as firm and consistent supporter of the formation of a universal, transparent and fair system of nuclear non-proliferation, which guarantees peace and sustainable development for future generations. As stated by experts, an active foreign policy of Uzbekistan, including concrete steps to strengthen the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons - is an absolute Uzbekistan’s contribution to world stability, order and security.

During the event, the sides exchanged views on the prospects of Uzbek-Kazakh cooperation in the effective implementation of the agreement on nuclear free zone in Central Asia, the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons and non-proliferation in all its aspects.

As the representatives of the Kazakhstan Institute for Strategic Studies noted that the experience of regular consultations and practical cooperation in fighting modern threats and challenges allows to speak with confidence about the coincidence of views of Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan on need to unite the efforts of all the countries of Central Asia in ensuring nuclear safety and non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.

Emphasizing the dynamic development of international cooperation in the sphere of regional security, the experts have expressed the belief that there was a comprehensive and constructive dialogue on the agenda of the event will contribute to further deepening and broadening of the Uzbek-Kazakh cooperation on the basis of friendship, good-neighborliness and mutual trust.

UzDaily.com