Uzbekistan and Afghanistan aim to reach a mutual trade turnover of $1bn by the end of this year, with a target of $3bn in the near future, the government portal of Uzbekistan reported.
A high-level delegation from the government of Uzbekistan, led by Prime Minister Abdulla Aripov, visited Afghanistan on August 17 to discuss and strengthen bilateral relations.
The delegation engaged in comprehensive talks with Afghanistan's Acting Prime Minister Abdul Ghani Baradar, Deputy Prime Minister for Administrative Affairs Abdul Salam Hanafi, Deputy Prime Minister for Political Affairs Abdul Kabir, and Minister of Foreign Affairs Amir Khan Muttaqi.
Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to fostering cooperation based on principles of friendship and good neighborliness. Uzbekistan emphasized its view of Afghanistan as an integral part of Central Asia and highlighted the importance of dialogue with Afghanistan's current government. President Shavkat Mirziyoyev's stance that international dialogue is crucial for positive outcomes in Afghanistan was reiterated.
The discussions also touched upon the United Nations General Assembly resolution, initiated by Uzbekistan in 2022, which recognized Afghanistan's pivotal role in connecting Central Asia and South Asia. Uzbekistan's proactive approach in establishing constructive dialogue with Afghanistan's interim government was stressed as a significant step towards regional stability.
Key areas of cooperation, including trade, energy, mining, transport, logistics, agriculture, and water management, were thoroughly discussed. The importance of fully utilizing available resources on a mutually beneficial basis was highlighted as essential for achieving these goals.
In addition, agreements on bilateral investment protection and preferential trade were identified as critical drivers for the continued development of trade and economic cooperation. Other issues of mutual interest, including sports, education, and regional collaboration, were also addressed.
The visit concluded with the signing of several documents worth $2.5bn aimed at enhancing cooperation between the two countries. These include 12 investment agreements valued at $1.4bn and 13 trade agreements worth $1.1bn.
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