TEHRAN – Iran has voicing its support for security and stability in Uzbekistan, denouncing any move that harms the Central Asian nation’s unity.
Foreign Minister Hussein Amir-Abdollahian held a telephone conversation with acting minister of foreign affairs of Uzbekistan Vladimir Imamovich Norov following the recent unrest in the Karakalpakstan autonomous region.
“The Islamic Republic of Iran supports stability and security in Uzbekistan and would not accept insecurity and harm to its unity,” Amir-Abdollahian stated.
Hailing growing relations between Tehran and Tashkent, he said Iran’s parliament speaker Muhammad Baqer Qalibaf will pay a visit to Uzbekistan in the near future.
Norov praised Iran for its stance on the recent developments in Uzbekistan and for supporting unity of his country.
He said Uzbekistan has started the process of reforming its constitution as declared by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev.
Norov also hailed the positive course of mutual, regional and international cooperation between Uzbekistan and Iran.
Protests in the autonomous Karakalpakstan region turned deadly last week, according to the government, as Uzbek President Mirziyoyev faced growing calls to allow an independent investigation into the violence.
Thousands of demonstrators took to the streets on Friday in opposition to proposed constitutional reforms that would have refused the province, which borders Kazakhstan and the Aral Sea, the right to secede.
Uzbek authorities said on Monday that 18 people were killed and 243 were wounded during the protests. The national guard said 516 people were detained but have since been released.
Mirziyoyev, who took office in 2016, has said there were “civilians and law enforcement officers” among the dead.
The government has said protesters marched through the provincial capital of Nukus on Friday. They accused protesters of throwing stones, starting fires and attacking police, as well as trying to storm local government buildings.