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Shavkat Mirziyoyev

Shavkat Mirziyoyev Advocates for Swift Resolution of Middle East Conflict

Riyadh, November 11, 2024 — The Europe Today: On November 11, 2024, the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, delivered a key address at the Arab-Islamic Extraordinary Summit, which was chaired by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The summit was attended by heads of state and government from the leading countries across the Middle East, Central and South Asia, and the African continent.

The summit focused on the urgent need to unite international efforts to de-escalate tensions in the Gaza Strip and Lebanon, with an emphasis on finding a rapid and effective political solution to the ongoing conflicts. President Mirziyoyev expressed his deep gratitude to King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud of Saudi Arabia for organizing the summit, which addressed the Palestinian issue, considered one of the most critical and complex challenges on the global stage.

During his speech, President Mirziyoyev regretted the escalation of the conflict, noting the spread of hostilities to Lebanon since the 2023 Riyadh summit. He reiterated Uzbekistan’s full support for peaceful and diplomatic efforts aimed at resolving the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, calling for the development and implementation of effective global and regional solutions.

The President highlighted key priorities, including the immediate cessation of hostilities, the establishment of secure humanitarian corridors, and the commencement of peace negotiations, urging the United Nations and the Security Council to maintain constant focus on these issues. He reaffirmed the right of the Palestinian people, with their rich historical and cultural heritage, to establish an independent and free state with its capital in East Jerusalem, within the 1967 borders.

Uzbekistan also expressed support for the Global Alliance for the Implementation of the Two-State Solution, an initiative led by Saudi Arabia. In light of the humanitarian crisis, President Mirziyoyev proposed expanding the scale of international assistance to Palestine and Lebanon, particularly through the support of the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) and other United Nations bodies.

As a gesture of solidarity, President Mirziyoyev offered to provide free medical treatment in Uzbekistan for Palestinian children and women affected by the conflict. He also indicated that discussions on practical assistance for Palestine would be a key agenda item at the upcoming GCC-Central Asia Summit in Samarkand next year.

President Mirziyoyev stressed the importance of preserving the sanctity of the Holy Al-Aqsa Mosque and other significant historical and cultural sites in Jerusalem, ensuring they remain protected amidst the ongoing tensions.

In his closing remarks, the President expressed hope that the summit would lead to concrete steps toward addressing the complex issues in the Middle East. Following the summit, a joint resolution was adopted, affirming the commitment of all parties to pursue a political and diplomatic resolution to the conflict as soon as possible.

The meeting marked a significant moment in international diplomacy, reinforcing the collective resolve to find lasting peace in the region.