Deputy PM Mullah Baradar Akhund's Speech at Uzbek Delegation Meeting
In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
May God’s mercy and blessings be upon you.
Honorable Prime Minister of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Abdullah Aripov, esteemed ministers, and other members of the delegation,
Welcome to your second home, Afghanistan. I extend a warm welcome to you.
I am pleased to see you here today in a free and independent Afghanistan, where we can discuss the relations between Afghanistan and Uzbekistan, trade, and other economic matters.
Today is an excellent opportunity to discuss the relations between the two countries and economic issues, particularly regarding railways, electricity, trade, transit, and visa-related matters.
The Republic of Uzbekistan has adopted a commendable stance on Afghanistan on the international stage. The Islamic Emirate thanks the Honorable President of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, for his positive and realistic position and desires continuous good relations between the two countries. Uzbekistan, as a neighboring brotherly country, holds a special place in the hearts of Afghans, sharing religious, cultural, ethnic, and linguistic commonalities that bind our two nations.
To foster trade and transit between the two countries, we inaugurated the Naibabad substation a few days ago, which is a significant advancement in the economic field for both Afghanistan and Uzbekistan.
As you are aware, hundreds of wagons carrying commercial and transit goods are transported daily between the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan and the Republic of Uzbekistan through the railway. The Afghan Trans Project plays a constructive role in the growth of this transportation and trade, which will lead to a substantial increase in trade with countries in the region. We hope that the Islamic Republic of Uzbekistan will prioritize and give importance to this project so that it does not remain merely on paper.
The Islamic Emirate welcomes the 500-kilovolt Surkhan-Pul-e-Khumri-Kabul power project, which aims to extend electricity to Afghanistan from Uzbekistan. This project will allow the transfer of electricity from Uzbekistan to Afghanistan as per its needs. However, if certain substations and lines are not constructed along with this project, its effectiveness may not be as expected because Afghanistan lacks the necessary infrastructure for electricity import without these substations and lines. Therefore, the Republic of Uzbekistan should cooperate with Afghanistan on the following projects:
- Extension of the 500-kilovolt Surkhan-Dasht Alwan line;
- Upgrading the Arghandi substation from 400 MVA to 1200 MVA.
These projects will not only enhance trade growth but also play a constructive role in expanding the political and economic relations between the two countries. Afghanistan is ready to work jointly with Uzbekistan to enhance Afghanistan's electricity import capacity and to facilitate the intake of Uzbekistan's electricity.
Just as Afghanistan has provided transit facilities to Uzbekistan for exports to South Asia and through it to the Gulf and Arab countries, we hope that Uzbekistan will provide the necessary facilities for Afghanistan's exports to Central Asia and Russia so that Afghan goods can find their way to the needed markets. In this regard, our request is to engage in comprehensive discussions on removing obstacles in the way of trade and transit so that Afghan goods, especially agricultural products, can access Central Asia and Russian markets, and Uzbekistan's exports to South Asian and Arab countries can increase.
Last year, during a discussion with Vice Prime Minister Jamshid Khojayev, the creation of a mechanism for issuing visas was mentioned. That mechanism has been developed and shared. Similarly, during meetings with Mr. Makhamov and Ismat Aqa Ergashev, the Uzbek side mentioned issuing visas to Afghan traders, company heads investing in Uzbekistan, tourists, and patients within two weeks. However, this matter has remained unchanged. We hope that the visa issue for Afghans will be resolved and the commitments made in this regard will be fulfilled. Facilitating the issuance of visas to Afghan traders can increase trade between the two countries and remove a significant obstacle.
It is evident that during his recent visit to Kabul, the Uzbek Foreign Minister, Bakhtiyor Saidov, expressed his readiness to accept the Afghan ambassador in Tashkent. Afghanistan has already introduced its ambassador, and we hope that the remaining internal processes regarding the commencement of his work will be completed by Uzbekistan. Afghanistan is keen to strengthen and enhance diplomatic capacity in the capitals of both countries to effectively address issues and share concerns.
Finally, I would like to reiterate that the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan is committed to all security, economic, and cultural relations with the Republic of Uzbekistan and seeks to expand good relations between the two countries.
Now, I request the Honorable Prime Minister of Uzbekistan, Abdullah Aripov, to address the attendees.
Thank you.