Strengthening ties: Uzbek PM meets Taliban leader to boost cooperation

On February 22, Uzbek Prime Minister Abdulla Aripov held bilateral talks in Tashkent with Mullah Abdulghani Baradar, the acting deputy prime minister of the Taliban interim government in Afghanistan. The meeting was confirmed by the press secretary of the Uzbek Prime Minister.

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During the discussions, both sides emphasized that relations between Uzbekistan and Afghanistan are based on principles of friendship, cooperation, and good neighborliness. It was noted that President Shavkat Mirziyoyev attaches great importance to fostering constructive and mutually beneficial ties with Afghanistan across various sectors.

The two leaders exchanged views on further strengthening bilateral cooperation, particularly in trade, economy, energy, and transport. They also discussed expanding mutual economic interests and enhancing regional connectivity.

A Taliban delegation, led by Baradar, is scheduled to visit Uzbekistan from February 22 to 23. Their visit includes an inspection of several production facilities in Tashkent, aimed at exploring opportunities for Uzbek investments in Afghanistan. The trip is expected to facilitate broader cooperation in politics, trade, transit, and infrastructure projects between the two neighboring countries.

Earlier today, the Afghan delegation arrived in Tashkent, where they were welcomed at the international airport by Uzbek Deputy Prime Minister Jamshid Khojayev, Special Representative of the President for Afghanistan Ismatulla Ergashev, and Taliban Ambassador to Uzbekistan Sheikh Abdugaffor Bahr.