Tashkent and Kabul intend to strengthen transport and economic cooperation. This is evidenced by the results of the negotiations between the special representative of the President of Uzbekistan, Ismatulla Ergashev, and the Minister of Transport, Ilkhom Makhkamov, with the leadership of the Afghan Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Eurasia Today reports.
One of the key issues was the preparation for the implementation of the large-scale project to build the Trans-Afghan railway, connecting Uzbekistan with the ports of Pakistan.
According to the Afghan side, a group of Uzbek railway engineers will soon begin work on designing and developing the future railway line on Afghan territory. Deliveries of the necessary construction equipment to the country have already begun.
Additionally, Uzbekistan and Afghanistan agreed to cooperate in the exploration and extraction of minerals, including oil and gas.
Uzbek mining companies, together with Afghan partners, will engage in the development of Afghanistan's mineral resources.
Separately, Ergashev announced Uzbekistan's readiness to purchase over 1 million tons of coal annually from its neighbors.
An important aspect of bilateral interaction will be joint participation in the restoration of Afghanistan's cultural, historical, and religious monuments with the assistance of Uzbek specialists. Negotiations are underway to build a madrasa named after Imam al-Bukhari in Mazar-i-Sharif.
The meeting also discussed issues related to simplifying the visa regime for Afghan entrepreneurs and truck drivers, issuing visas for educational, tourist, and medical purposes. The parties agreed to expand cooperation in other practical areas as well.
Overall, it is evident that Uzbekistan and the current Afghan leadership are striving to overcome mutual alienation and elevate bilateral partnership to a qualitatively new level.
The implementation of joint infrastructure and economic projects should contribute to stabilizing the situation in Afghanistan and strengthening integration ties in the region.
CentralasianLIGHT.org
May 17, 2024