A delegation led by the Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs of Afghanistan, Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, visits Uzbekistan.
On February 22, the high-ranking guests were received by Deputy Prime Minister Jamshid Khojayev, the President’s Special Representative for Afghanistan, Ismatulla Ergashev, and the Taliban Movement’s Ambassador in Uzbekistan, Sheikh Abdul Ghafar Bahr.
The delegation includes ministers currently working in key sectors of Afghanistan’s interim government, such as the mining and oil industry, transportation and aviation, trade, and agriculture, as well as the Deputy Minister of Finance for Revenues and Customs.
Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar first met with Deputy Prime Minister Jamshid Khojayev and discussed strengthening trade and transit links and creating joint trade zones.
The high-ranking diplomat once again emphasized that Afghanistan and Uzbekistan are bound by a common religious, historical, cultural, and ethnic heritage, noting that this aspect profoundly positively influences the political and economic relations between the two countries. At the same time, he provided information about the trans-Afghan project – creating an electricity transmission system with a capacity of 500 kilowatts. He proposed using national currencies in mutual trade, implementing an agreement on hydrocarbon and mineral resources, and exploring the opportunities for Uzbekistan businesspeople to invest in various sectors of Afghanistan. He expressed full support for creating the necessary conditions for investors.
Meanwhile, Mr. Khojayev expressed the readiness of Uzbekistan entrepreneurs to invest in the development of the industry through the exploration and extraction of oil and gas in this brotherly country, including the construction, for example, of a cement plant in Samangan province. As stated, significant results have already been achieved during the exploration of the Toti-Maydan gas field, and drilling will begin soon.
“Our goal is to expand political, economic, transit, and trade links, as well as create opportunities for attracting Uzbekistan investments in Afghanistan”, stated Taliban Press Service representative Hamidulla Fitrat. “Overall, officials from both countries will discuss partnerships in many areas”.
On the same day, the Prime Minister of Uzbekistan, Abdulla Aripov, held bilateral negotiations with the Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs of Afghanistan, Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar.
According to the Press Service of the Cabinet of Ministers, during the dialogue, it was emphasized that the relations between the two states and peoples are based on friendship, cooperation, and good neighborliness. President Shavkat Mirziyoyev pays special attention to developing constructive and mutually beneficial relations with Afghanistan in all areas.
A comprehensive exchange of views took place on further expanding the partnership and its consistent development in trade and economic, energy, transport, and other sectors.
During the visit to Uzbekistan, the Afghanistan delegation will be introduced to the operations of several manufacturing enterprises in Tashkent.
The agreements reached during this visit will undoubtedly enrich bilateral relations with practical substance and elevate the mutually beneficial and long-term cooperation between the two friendly countries to a qualitatively new level.
Utkir Alimov, UzA