Speech of Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar Akhund, the Deputy PM for Economic Affairs, at the Meeting with the Prime Minister of Uzbekistan

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

Your Excellency, Prime Minister of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Mr. Abdullah Aripov, and all esteemed participants of this meeting,

Peace, mercy, and blessings of Allah be upon you!

First and foremost, I extend my gratitude to the Prime Minister of Uzbekistan for the warm invitation and hospitality, which I consider a clear sign of mutual trust and strong cooperation between our two neighboring and friend countries.

The foreign policy of the Islamic Emirate is based on the principles of neutrality and non-interference in the affairs of neighboring, regional, and global countries. We also expect other nations to adhere to these principles in their relations with Afghanistan.

The Republic of Uzbekistan has taken a positive stance on Afghanistan in the international arena. The Islamic Emirate appreciates the constructive and realistic approach of His Excellency President Shavkat Mirziyoyev of Uzbekistan. As a neighboring brotherly country, Uzbekistan holds a special place in the hearts of Afghans due to the deep religious, cultural, ethnic, and linguistic ties that have historically brought our two nations closer.

The Afghan and Uzbek nations share a common history and Islamic heritage. Regions such as Bukhara and Samarkand have been recognized as centers of Islamic civilization, and Afghans have greatly benefited from the knowledge and wisdom of renowned scholars like Imam Bukhari and Imam Tirmidhi.

The foreign policy of the Islamic Emirate is independent, positive, neutral, balanced, and economy-oriented. We seek good relations with all countries, particularly with our neighbors. Accordingly, the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan desires to establish deeper and more meaningful engagement with the Republic of Uzbekistan.

The Islamic Emirate has taken firm steps in the fight against the cultivation, production, consumption, and trafficking of narcotics. We have banned their cultivation and production and have actively prevented their smuggling into neighboring countries. We assure all our neighboring, regional, and international partners that Afghan soil will not be used against any country and that no threats will emanate from Afghanistan toward any nation.

The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan invites the friend and neighboring country of Uzbekistan to invest in various sectors of Afghanistan, including transportation, energy, agriculture, mining, railways, and industrial production. We encourage the Uzbek government to facilitate and motivate Uzbek investors to expand their economic activities and investments in Afghanistan based on mutual interests.

The expansion of railways and road networks between Uzbekistan and Afghanistan has been a significant and fundamental topic. The Mazar-e-Sharif – Herat railway project, extending further to Kandahar, which connects Uzbekistan with Iran and China, is of vital importance to both countries. The Islamic Emirate invites its neighboring and friend country, Uzbekistan, to invest in this project, which will enable Uzbekistan to expand its bilateral trade with South Asian countries, Iran, and China, playing a crucial role in regional stability and development.

Additionally, we call upon our friend nation, Uzbekistan, to invest in the second tunnel of the Salang Highway, which serves as a key transit route connecting Central Asia with South Asia. The Islamic Emirate welcomes such investment and is fully prepared to cooperate in this regard.

The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan assures its full cooperation in all mutual endeavors. Moreover, both sides should explore new initiatives and projects that will contribute to the development of strategic infrastructure, joint trade, transit, regional affairs, and economic relations between the two countries.

Furthermore, Your Excellency, I hope that the agreements and discussions from your recent visit to Kabul, on which work has been carried out and agreements have been signed, will be implemented as soon as possible. In this regard, the joint technical teams of both countries should work closely together.

In conclusion, I would like to reiterate that the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan remains committed to all security, economic, and cultural relations with the Republic of Uzbekistan and is eager to expand friendly ties between the two nations.

Thank you for your attention.