The Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, Al-Haj Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar Akhund, held a meeting today with the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Mr. Shavkat Mirziyoyev, in the city of Khankendi, Azerbaijan.
During the meeting, the two parties engaged in discussions on political and economic relations, rail connectivity, trade, transit cooperation, and electricity transmission.
At the beginning of the session, Al-Haj Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar Akhund conveyed his appreciation for the Republic of Uzbekistan’s constructive and pragmatic position on Afghanistan at the international level, and emphasized the necessity of establishing enduring and robust bilateral relations.
He noted that the current volume of trade between Afghanistan and Uzbekistan has exceeded one billion USD, representing a 60 percent increase compared to previous levels. He expressed optimism that this figure would reach two billion USD in the foreseeable future.
The Deputy Prime Minister urged the Uzbek authorities to facilitate the export of Afghan commodities to Central Asia and the Russian Federation via Uzbekistan.
He further underscored the importance of collaborative efforts between the neighboring states to promote economic stability, infrastructural development, and regional prosperity through the initiation and implementation of joint projects in the sectors of mining, transportation, transit, public services, regional infrastructure, and foundational development.
Subsequently, the President of Uzbekistan, Mr. Shavkat Mirziyoyev, offered his remarks, asserting that the advent of the Islamic Emirate has resulted in progress across multiple sectors within Afghanistan. He stated that Uzbekistan has presented an accurate portrayal of Afghanistan’s realities at international forums and continues to advocate for these perspectives within the global community, particularly at the United Nations.
Mr. Mirziyoyev further declared that Uzbekistan is prepared to invest in Afghanistan across a range of sectors, including the Mazar-e-Sharif–Herat–Kandahar railway project, the establishment of textile manufacturing facilities, cement production, oil refining plants, salt extraction and processing, electronic governance, and additional fields.
He added that Uzbekistan stands ready to augment the volume of electricity supplied to Afghanistan, contingent upon the timely completion of the 500 kV transmission line project.
Mr. Mirziyoyev indicated that he would issue specific directives to the relevant Uzbek authorities to ensure the facilitation of Afghan exports particularly agricultural products to Central Asia and the Russian Federation through Uzbek territory.
He also stressed the significance of establishing appropriate mechanisms for banking transactions between the two countries, as well as issuing visas to Afghan nationals.
