Uzbekistan interested in peaceful reconstruction of Afghanistan

A press centre organized for the Tashkent conference on Afghanistan "Peace process, security cooperation and regional collaboration" held a panel session on March 24.

Speakers during their address noted constructive relations between Uzbekistan and Afghanistan, which are based, first of all, on the historically formed factor of the unity of the region. Afghanistan is undeniably historically, geographically and geopolitically adjacent to our region.

Uzbekistan principally supports the establishment of stability in Afghanistan exclusively through inter-ethnic dialogue. An important aspect of further cooperation between the two countries is Uzbekistan's consideration of the neighbouring state not as a source of security threats, but as an equal partner with whom joint projects in the field of economy, energy and transport logistics are planned in the near future.

Our Republic actively implements peaceful initiatives in the field of economic and humanitarian cooperation in its relations with its "southern neighbor". According to preliminary data of the State Statistics Committee, the trade turnover between Uzbekistan and Afghanistan in 2017 amounted to $617 million, having increased by 18.7% compared to 2016. Afghanistan is one of the important foreign trade partners of Uzbekistan, its share in the foreign trade turnover of our country stays at 2.3%. At the same time, the export of Uzbek goods to the Islamic Republic comprises $614.9 million.

The signing of a number of important bilateral documents, including: a plan for the further development of full-scale cooperation between the countries in 2017, a trade and economic Road map, a Protocol of intentions for the further development of cooperation in the field of transport infrastructure, providing for the participation of the Uzbek side in joint railway and road projects, have become a key point in the establishment of a new format of cooperation between the two states.

The policy of promoting Afghanistan's integration into regional trade, economic and energy ties will continue.

Afghanistan with its 30 million market could provide a great niche for Uzbekistan. The parties have already reached an agreement on bringing the trade turnover between the two countries to $ 1.5 billion.

The visit of Afghan President Ashraf Ghani to Uzbekistan in December 2017 marks a new stage in the development of bilateral relations. The parties agreed to establish an educational center for training Afghan citizens, which was opened at the end of January this year in Surkhandarya region and has already received its first students. In addition, more than 40 export contracts totaling over $500 million were signed. Uzbekistan supplies electricity, agricultural and pharmaceutical products, construction materials and vehicles to Afghanistan.

Uzbekistan intends to increase trade turnover with its "southern neighbor" by several times in the near future, expand the range of exported products and is extremely interested to turn Afghanistan into a peaceful and prosperous country.