The Afghan government announced on October 11, 2023, that they were transitioning to the second phase of the construction of the Kushtepa Canal, Tolonews reports.
The Taliban movement, which leads the Afghan government, visited the Balkh province in the north of the country and inaugurated the second phase of the project in a festive atmosphere.
According to the statement, Afghanistan will achieve self-sufficiency in grain production with the water from the "Kushtepa Canal."
Earlier, the acting head of Afghanistan's Ministry of Water and Energy, Abdul-Latif Mansur, expressed that concerns from Shavkat Mirziyoyev regarding the waters of the Amu Darya and the Kushtepa Canal would only be relevant if there were commitments under a treaty. However, in this case, no commitments were made. There is no treaty. Therefore, we are doing what we consider necessary, he stated.
At the same time, the Taliban assured that Uzbekistan has no reason to be concerned, and any issues can be resolved through diplomatic channels.
"We are a committed nation that fulfills its obligations and promises. We do not violate our borders and protect our rights," stated the Taliban's Foreign Minister, Sirajuddin Haqqani.
CentralasianLIGHT.org
October 16, 2023