March 31, 2011
On March 31, Tashkent hosted a roundtable titled “Regional Security Problems and Prospects for Ensuring Stability in Afghanistan”, organized by the Center for Political Studies (CPS), headed by Gulnara Karimova, with support from the Fund Forum.
The event was held as part of the visit to Uzbekistan by Ross Wilson, the director of the Atlantic Council`s Dinu Patriciu Eurasia Center. Those gathered included experts from leading think tanks, representatives of 15 ministries and agencies, Uzbek academic community, and independent analytical centers specializing in regional policy, security and economy.
In his speech, Ross Wilson noted the growing role of Central Asia in the system of contemporary international relations. According to him, the US does not pay enough attention to Central Asian countries despite the need to intensively develop bilateral relations and boost cooperation, especially in the context of the Afghan imbroglio. He noted that Afghanistan`s neighbors have a key role to play in the solution of the Afghan problem while Uzbekistan`s assistance can contribute significantly to the settlement of the situation in Afghanistan.
In an active debate, the roundtable participants touched upon several notable aspects of regional security, in particular, worries concerning the military and political situation in Afghanistan amidst the upcoming withdrawal of the US military contingent in 2014. Just as notable, the experts said, is the role of Russia which provides a strategically important northern route to deliver both military (air transport) and non-military (on-ground transport) cargoes to Afghanistan.
The experts also emphasized that presently Central Asia draws particular attention from key players such as the USA, Russia, China and the EU, not only in terms of ensuring regional and global security but also given a keen interest in strengthening bilateral economic ties.
Those gathered also focused on global and regional energy issues, especially on latest trends in the global oil and gas market as well as pipeline policies in Central Asia. Toward the end of the roundtable Ross Wilson expressed hope the expert dialog would be continued in the future. In turn, the CPS expressed readiness to contribute to the organization of possible research projects with the Atlantic Council Eurasia Center on issues of mutual interest.
The Eurasia Center is a subdivision of the Atlantic Council, one of the world`s foremost think tanks, which promotes constructive U.S. leadership and engagement in international affairs based on the central role of the Atlantic community in meeting the international challenges of the 21st century. Important contributions by the Council include identifying and shaping responses to major issues facing the Atlantic Alliance and transatlantic relations; promoting balanced responses to growing energy needs and environmental protection. The Eurasia Center has been given the goal of promoting stability, international dialog and regional cooperation.
Related links
A Large Scale Forum in Tashkent