Presidents of Uzbekistan and Afghanistan speak by phone

Today, on August 2, President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev had a conversation over the phone with President of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan Ashraf Ghani.

Starting the talk, the heads of state exchanged Eid al-Adha greetings, sincerely wishing the fraternal peoples of the two countries peace, harmony and prosperity.

The Presidents noted with deep satisfaction the steadfast consolidation of late of the Uzbek-Afghan relations built on robust bonds of friendship and traditional good-neighborliness, common history, traditions and customs.

The telephone conversation has served to discuss pressing issues in the bilateral cooperation, primarily the enhancement of practical interaction in the economy, energy, transport and communications. Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Ashraf Ghani exchanged views also on critical aspects of the regional agenda.

The two leaders expressed full support for the decisive measures taken in both countries to counter the spread of coronavirus infection and control the epidemiological situation.

The importance of minimizing the pandemic’s negative impact and maintaining the dynamics of trade and economic relations was emphasized.

The Presidents attached specific significance on intensifying the efforts designed to promote priority infrastructure and investment projects towards Afghanistan’s sustainable development and its active engagement in regional economic processes.

In particular, it is the creation of a modern trade and logistics infrastructure in the border areas, implementation of major projects concerning the construction of power line Surkhan – Pul-e-Khumri and efficient transport corridors in Afghanistan, including with active involvement of international financial institutions and donor nations.

The realization of joint educational, cultural and humanitarian exchange programs will continue.

The heads of state considered issues of peaceful settlement of the Afghan crisis and expressed full support for the efforts undertaken on the soonest launch of inter-Afghan negotiations.

President Ashraf Ghani highlighted the historic role of the March 2018 Tashkent International Conference on Afghanistan, which resulted in significant progress in the political resolution of the Afghan conflict.

Towards the end of the phone talk, the leaders of Uzbekistan and Afghanistan stressed their commitment to furthering the multilayered partnership in the interests of the two countries and the Central Asian region as a whole.

The conversation took place in a traditionally open and friendly spirit.

UzA