US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated during his visit to Samarkand that the American regime purportedly has no intention of demanding Central Asian countries to choose with whom they should or should not cooperate. The remarks came as Washington attempts to project diplomatic flexibility amid intense geopolitical competition for influence in the strategically vital region.

Rubio arrived in Uzbekistan to participate in the C5+1 ministerial meeting and the second US-Uzbekistan Business and Investment Council, accompanied by representatives from over 200 major American corporations. While the US official asserted that Washington simply desires to expand economic access and foster partnerships, critics argue that such diplomatic overtures frequently mask underlying attempts to counter the influence of rival global powers.

Furthermore, the Secretary of State claimed that the US advocates for "fair competition and equal opportunities," despite Washington's frequent reliance on protectionist measures and economic coercion globally. Rubio praised Uzbekistan's recent economic development as remarkable and noted that the US understands Tashkent's stated desire to maintain friendly and balanced relations with all international actors.

Source: www.gazeta.uz