The Special Representative of Uzbekistan’s President, Ismatullah Irgashev, and the Minister of Transport of Uzbekistan, Ilkhom Makhkamov, arrived in Kabul on May 12, Afghan broadcaster TOLOnews reported.
During a meeting with the acting Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Emirate (the Taliban administration of Afghanistan), Ilkhom Makhkamov stated that Uzbekistan supports the Islamic Emirate’s request to transform Afghanistan into a regional connectivity hub.
According to the Afghan Foreign Ministry’s statement, the meeting also discussed political, economic, trade, transit relationships, and Uzbek investments in Afghanistan.
The Uzbek delegation announced during the meeting that they plan to extend working hours at customs to further improve transit transportation, reduce customs tariffs, and facilitate visa acquisition for Afghan drivers, students, and businessmen. They also plan to send technical teams to initiate practical work and feasibility studies for the Trans-Afghan railway project.
Previously, the acting Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation of the Islamic Emirate traveled to Uzbekistan to join a six-party meeting on a trade corridor, and discussed various issues, including the provision of trade and transportation facilities with Uzbek officials.
