The UK Embassy in Tashkent said that Mr Sedwill met the Foreign Minister Mr Abdulaziz Kamilov, the Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee Senator Sodiq Safoev, the Head of the National Security Council Mr Bakhodir Toshmatov and the Defence Minister Lieutenant General Kabul Berdiev.

Mr Sedwill discussed the UK’s commitment to help secure long term peace and stability in Afghanistan and the region outlined the progress made by the UK and coalition forces in supporting a viable Afghan state and Afghan-led efforts towards a sustainable future. Welcoming and Uzbekistan’s economic investment in the country, he encouraged Uzbekistan as a key northern neighbour to continue the constructive contributions it is making to international efforts. for a stable and secure Afghanistan. Mr Sedwill emphasised that the UK’s support to Afghanistan will continue long after UK combat troops leave in 2014. Mr Sedwill also discussed a range of bilateral issues, trade and investment and human rights issues.

Mr Sedwill gave a talk to students at the University of World Economy and Diplomacy about UK policy in Afghanistan and held a question and answer session.

Mr Sedwill visited the oldest known copy of the Koran in the world, the Osman Quran, in the Khastimam Complex in Tashkent.