On March 1, Uzbekistan’s FM Abdulaziz Kamilov participated in the 46th session of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), which was held in Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates), the press service of the MFA reported.

In his speech at the plenary session, Kamilov noted that Uzbekistan is interested in developing comprehensive cooperation with the OIC and its institutions, considering them as a platform for an equal dialogue of Muslim states.

“We highly appreciate the efforts of the organization to combat terrorism and religious extremism,” said the head of the foreign ministry. “We believe that in countering terrorism, it is necessary not only to eradicate any manifestations of terror, but at the same time continue to work on the elimination of the socio-economic nutrient medium for extremists. In this regard, it is indicative that the OIC General Secretariat pays special attention to the socio-economic development of the member countries, combating poverty, developing education and ensuring human rights”.

Abdulaziz Kamilov expressed the position of Uzbekistan on key issues on the agenda of the Ministerial Council of the OIC, including the promotion of a full-scale launch of a peace settlement in Afghanistan. In particular, in order to further enhance cooperation on Afghanistan in the second half of this year, an International Conference on Regional Economic Cooperation (RECCA VIII) is planned to be held in Tashkent.

The Minister particularly noted that today Uzbekistan is reaching a qualitatively new level of relations with the OIC in the fields of science, technology and education. As it was stressed, “in our country, preparations began for the Second OIC Science and Technology Summit 2020”. Kamilov called on the OIC member states to take part in this important forum and to contribute to the advancement of science and technology for the benefit of the Muslim Ummah.

Concluding his speech Abdulaziz Kamilov expressed his gratitude to the OIC Member States for supporting the proposals of Uzbekistan regarding peaceful settlement of the Afghan problem, countering terrorism and prevention of extremism, religious tolerance, and the International Day against Nuclear Tests and rehabilitation of the Aral Sea region.