Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar Akhund, the Economic Deputy Prime Minister, held a meeting with Bakhtiar Saidov, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan, and his accompanying high-ranking delegation to discuss economic and trade cooperation as well as regional connectivity.
In the meeting, Mullah Abdul Ghani, Akhund’s brother, emphasized that the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan pursues an economy-oriented foreign policy focused on regional connectivity, highlighting the need for cooperation from regional countries, particularly Uzbekistan, to achieve this goal.
The Economic Deputy of the Prime Minister emphasized the importance of increasing transit levels through Afghanistan and Uzbekistan, developing trade relations, expanding railway networks, investing in Afghanistan, transferring electricity to the country, addressing transportation and customs issues, and fostering bilateral cooperation in higher education for Afghan youth across various fields.
On the other hand, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan expressed readiness to host the ambassador of the Islamic Emirate in the near future to enhance political and economic relations with Afghanistan.
Mr. Saidov also mentioned that Uzbekistan values Afghanistan’s use of the Amu River and is prepared to collaborate with the Islamic Emirate on the technical aspects of the Qosh Tepa canal and the implementation of modern water supply systems in Afghanistan.