Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Latvia said that new envoy participated at the political consultations between Ministries of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan and Latvia, which was held on 20 November 2012.

During the meeting, he handed over copies of credentials to the Foreign Minister of Latvia Edgars Rinkēvičs

At this post, Afzal Artikov replaced Kobiljon Nazarov. Prior to appointment, Afzal Artikov worked as national coordinator of Uzbekistan at the SCO and head of Department on work with SCO and CIS structures at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan.