Al-Haj Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar Akhund, Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, met with Mr. Murat Nurtleu, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan, and his accompanying delegation at the Arg (Prime Minister Palace).
Also present at the meeting were Qari Din Mohammad Hanif, Acting Minister of Economy; Mullah Hedayatullah Badri, Acting Minister of Mines and Petroleum; Mullah Mohammad Esa Thani, Acting Minister of Public Works; Abdul Salam Haidari, Deputy Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation; Mawlawi Sadr Azam, Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock; and Noor Ahmad Agha, Acting Governor of Da Afghanistan Bank.
At the outset, Al-Haj Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar Akhund extended a warm welcome to Mr. Murat Nurtleu and his delegation, describing their visit as significant for enhancing economic, trade, and political relations between Afghanistan and Kazakhstan.
The Deputy Prime Minister of Kazakhstan stated that Kazakhstan, as a strong country in Central Asia, is keen to expand and deepen its ties with its brotherly neighbor, Afghanistan, across multiple sectors.
He emphasized that Kazakhstan is a reliable international partner of Afghanistan and that its policy is grounded in the development of economic, trade, and transit relations, along with positive engagement. He affirmed that the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan can rely on Kazakhstan.
Referring to the prevailing security and stability in Afghanistan, the Deputy Prime Minister of Kazakhstan noted that this is a timely opportunity for the implementation of joint projects in various fields and urged both sides to make full use of it.
Mr. Murat Nurtleu stated that, in accordance with the directive of the Prime Minister of Kazakhstan, representatives from all sectoral ministries were included in the delegation to pursue technical discussions with Afghanistan based on mutual understanding.
He added that Kazakhstan shares cultural, economic, and Islamic bonds with Afghanistan, and that historically, relations between the two nations have remained friendly and constructive.
Mr. Murat Nurtleu further stated: “Our visit should serve as a positive signal to all countries to choose the path of engagement with Afghanistan rather than confrontation. We have consistently maintained that Afghanistan must be included in international projects and forums. We are advancing with a clear and transparent approach in our engagement with the Islamic Emirate.”
He continued by saying that all proposals raised during this meeting by the Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan would be conveyed to the relevant institutions, in order to develop a clear roadmap for future cooperation. This would enable Kazakhstan to maintain sustained collaboration with Afghanistan in areas such as education, electricity, railways, mining, and more.
Following this, Mr. Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar Akhund stated that since the historic transformation in Afghanistan four years ago, a new era of stability, security, and mutually beneficial economic cooperation has commenced with all countries.
He welcomed Kazakhstan’s interest in investing in the strategically important Herat–Torghundi railway project, describing it as a major step toward strengthening bilateral economic ties and advancing trade and transit development.
The Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs noted that Afghanistan can function as an effective transit corridor, facilitating the export of Kazakh energy to South Asia via Afghan territory.
Referring to Kazakhstan’s interest across multiple sectors, H.E. Mullah Baradar Akhund stated that both countries could pursue joint ventures in mining, transport, telecommunications, energy production, and oil and gas projects. Launching such cooperation would support the economic stability, advancement, and prosperity of both nations.
He expressed Afghanistan’s readiness to sign a memorandum of understanding with Kazakhstan regarding the storage and quarantine of agricultural goods. He also presented proposals and information concerning the opening of accounts for Azadi Bank and Zaman Bank in Afghan financial institutions, the use of national currencies in bilateral trade, the finalization of a draft agreement on international transport and transit, expansion of cooperation in industrial, commercial, and transportation sectors, establishment of joint commercial centers in Afghanistan and Kazakhstan, and the reduction of transit fees on goods exported from Afghanistan.
At the conclusion of the meeting, the Minister of Public Works of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan signed a memorandum of understanding on the Herat–Torghundi railway project with his Kazakh counterpart.
