In his remarks before the meeting Secretary Kerry said that in the meeting two sides are going to talk about the important security and assistance relationship between U.S. and Uzbekistan.

He added that Uzbekistan is providing “very important help with respect to the distribution network of aid to Afghanistan, and is involved in some important infrastructure construction projects in Afghanistan.” He also said the sides will touch the other issues of cooperation, including human rights.

Minister Kamilov thanked for a warm welcome. He said that during negotiations the sides are going to exchange views on the state bilateral relations and cooperation in political, economic, and humanitarian areas.

He added the sides will raise the problem of Afghanistan. Uzbekistan had very close cooperation with the United States and it will continue to bring peace and stability to Afghanistan and the region of Central Asia.