The Deputy Prime Minister of Uzbekistan reaches an agreement with the Deputy Head of the Interim Government of Afghanistan

Uzbekistan is ready to intensify bilateral relations with Afghanistan in order to accelerate the settlement of issues. It was discussed at an expanded meeting of Uzbek and Afghan delegations in Kabul.

As previously reported, on 23 February, a delegation headed by the Deputy Prime Minister, Sardor Umurzakov-Minister of Investment and Foreign Trade of the Republic of Uzbekistan, visited Kabul. The Minister attended an expanded meeting with the Deputy Head of the Interim Government of Afghanistan, Abdul Gani Barodar.

During the meeting, the parties exchanged views on issues on the agenda of Uzbek-Afghan cooperation in the areas of investment, trade, transport and logistics, energy, agriculture, education, and health.

The Afghan side reported on measures taken to ensure security, economic and social recovery and to combat corruption in the country.

It is noted that special attention was paid to the intensification of cooperation in the realization of the project of the Trans-Afghan railway «Termez - Mazari-Sharif – Kabul – Peshavar». The parties discussed the practical aspects of the implementation of the project and expressed their readiness to jointly resolve all existing issues.
“During the negotiations, the parties discussed the possibility of involving Uzbek companies in joint projects for the construction and rehabilitation of infrastructure, the development of agriculture and the extraction of natural resources. Agreement was reached on joint work in the near future to develop and approve a plan of action for the development of Uzbek-Afghan trade and economic cooperation and its implementation.

The Parties also agreed to develop, as soon as possible, mechanisms to increase bilateral trade and transit through the territories of the two countries.

During the meeting, the heads of ministries and departments of the two countries put forward proposals for the further development of cooperation in specific areas and expressed their readiness to intensify bilateral relations in order to accelerate the resolution of emerging issues, as stated”,- in the report.

At the end of the event, the heads of delegation outlined priorities for expanding bilateral relations in the areas of cooperation under discussion, as well as further steps for the implementation of the agreements reached.

Earlier in Kabul, Sardor Umurzakov met with Mullah Muhammad Hassan Khund, acting head of the interim Government of Afghanistan.