Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- Uzbekistan initially stated that it would not accept refugees from Afghanistan. Uzbekistan will not create special places for refugees from Afghanistan. This was stated by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan Abdulaziz Kamilov in an interview with Russian media.

“I will say right away - there is no flow of refugees, there are no refugees at all. We initially stated that we would not accept refugees. Our position was to help Afghanistan, but not by transporting a group of Afghans to the territory of a third country, and then as refugees to take care of them, feed and take care of them,” the minister said.

“Secondly, we provided assistance in transit and transportation to third countries, representatives of the diplomatic corps and people who were threatened with a really concrete threat of reprisals. This was a category that entered the territory of Uzbekistan and immediately transported to a third country. In this regard, we provided assistance, if there is a need for someone to help, leave Afghanistan through Uzbekistan, we are ready to provide such services. But creating special places for refugees will not happen,” added Abdulaziz Kamilov.

“Moreover, when a large mass of people poured out from Afghanistan, among whom, perhaps, some were really refugees, others just wanted to take advantage of the situation and in search of a better life to leave Afghanistan, hoping that they would be taken from Uzbekistan to Western countries, Europe. We calmly agreed with the Taliban to prevent an influx of uncontrolled refugees. They helped us, calmed people down, told them: come back home and live in peace,” he said.

“Since then, practically no one has tried to illegally cross the border. We also do not observe an uncontrolled flow of refugees. The situation on the border is calm,” the Uzbek Foreign Minister said.

“Moreover, we have established special relations with Balkh province - it is directly adjacent to Surkhandarya. We have established cooperation between governors, economic structures, especially in terms of transit. Because everything - the bridge, the railroad and the road - rests on Balkh province,” Kamilov emphasized.