Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs of the interim government, Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, met with Uzbekistan’s Prime Minister, Abdulla Aripov, this evening during his visit to Uzbekistan. The meeting focused on the implementation of agreements between Afghanistan and Uzbekistan across various sectors.
According to a statement from the Deputy Prime Minister’s Office, Mullah Baradar reaffirmed the interim government’s foreign policy, stating, “The Islamic Emirate’s policy regarding neighboring, regional, and international countries is based on neutrality and non-interference. We expect these countries to uphold the same principle.”
He underscored the significance of expanding railway and road networks between Afghanistan and Uzbekistan, considering it a vital and strategic issue. He also invited the Uzbek side to invest in the Mazar-i-Sharif–Herat railway project, which extends to Kandahar and connects Uzbekistan with Iran and China. At the conclusion of the meeting, Mullah Baradar emphasized the need for joint efforts to enhance infrastructure projects, trade, transit, regional cooperation, and economic ties between Kabul and Tashkent.
According to the statement, Uzbekistan’s Prime Minister, Abdulla Aripov, reiterated his country’s commitment to strengthening economic relations with Afghanistan. He affirmed Uzbekistan’s support for all agreed-upon initiatives aimed at expanding economic cooperation and trade between Tashkent and Kabul, adding that technical teams from both sides would continue their work to ensure their implementation.
