The President of Uzbekistan speaks in favor of a speedy settlement of the Middle East conflict

On November 11, the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev addressed the Arab-Islamic Extraordinary Summit.

The Saudi Arabian side chaired the event, which was attended by the heads of state and governments of the leading countries of the Middle East, Central and South Asia, and the African continent.

In accordance with the agenda, issues of uniting the international community’s efforts to de-escalate the situation in the Gaza Strip and Lebanon and a speedy political settlement of the current situation were considered.

The President of Uzbekistan expressed special gratitude to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King of Saudi Arabia Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud for organizing the summit dedicated to the Palestinian problem – the most acute and complex issue on the global agenda.

It was noted regretfully that this war had expanded its scope to include Lebanon since the meeting in Riyadh in 2023.

The Leader of Uzbekistan fully supported practical initiatives to resolve the Palestinian-Israeli conflict peacefully and diplomatically.

It was hoped that effective mechanisms and specific solutions at the global and regional levels would be developed and implemented during the current summit.

It was emphasized that the issues of an immediate cessation of hostilities, ensuring safe humanitarian corridors, and the beginning of peace negotiations should be the constant focus of the United Nations and the Security Council.

It was noted that the Palestinian people, with their ancient and rich history, have every right to create an independent and free state with its capital in East Jerusalem within the 1967 borders.

In this context, support was expressed for the activities of the Global Alliance for Implementation of the Two-State Solution, which was created at Saudi Arabia’s initiative.

In addition, to prevent a humanitarian crisis in Palestine and Lebanon, it was proposed to expand the scale of assistance from leading states and international organizations, including through support for the activities of the UNRWA and other United Nations institutions.

The President of Uzbekistan expressed readiness to provide free treatment in Uzbekistan to Palestinian children and women affected by the war.

An intention was also expressed to discuss providing practical assistance to the people of Palestine at the GCC-Central Asia Summit next year in Samarkand.

The Leader of Uzbekistan paid particular attention to ensuring the sanctity and preservation of the Holy Al-Aqsa Mosque and other unique historical and cultural sites of Jerusalem.

In conclusion, hope was expressed that the current meeting would be a significant practical step towards addressing the Middle East problem.

Following the Summit, a joint resolution was adopted, which enshrined the parties’ commitment to finding a political and diplomatic solution to the conflict as soon as possible.