Uzbek-U.S ties inclined to stable development

Azerbaijan, Baku, June 13 / Trend V. Zhavoronkova / Meetings between Uzbek and U.S officials are regular. The relations between the two countries have a tendency to ensure sustainable development, Uzbek expert Rafik Sayfulin said. "The meetings of Uzbek and U.S officials have been systematically held for more than one year," he told Trend over phone from Tashkent. "This shows that the relations are developing." U.S. Deputy Secretary of State William Burns visited Uzbekistan. He held talks with Uzbek President Islam Karimov, as well as officials of the republic. The sides discussed a wide range of issues, including withdrawal of NATO anti-terrorist coalition troops from Afghanistan, as well as bilateral trade-economic cooperation. The expert said that any visit gives a new impetus to bilateral relations. "At present, there is a normal working process to strengthen the existing forms and to search for new forms of cooperation in the future," Sayfulin said. He said that one of the main points of contacts between the two countries today is to withdraw NATO troops from Afghanistan. It is unknown what Uzbekistan should wait after that, he said. "Of course, Uzbekistan is anxious about Afghanistan's ability to keep the situation under control," he said. "In this regard, there is great doubt." Sayfulin said that the U.S. realizes its responsibility, because after many years in Afghanistan, it realizes that it would be wrong to leave it to the mercy of fate. If the Uzbek leadership sees a need for cooperation with the U.S. in any issue, it will cooperate, the analyst said. "Regular meetings between the United States and Uzbekistan testify to the fact that the relations between the two countries are stable and sustainable," he said. Sayfulin said the parties always hold a constructive dialogue, in which the United States are first interested in the northern supply route, while Uzbekistan is interested in new U.S. investment programs. Do you have any feedback? Contact our journalist at agency@trend.az