The “Afghanistan–Central Asia Consultative Talks” were held at the Stor Palace of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, initiated by the Ministry.
The meeting was chaired by the Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi, and was attended by Mr. Babar Usmanov, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan; Mr. Niyaz Tursunkulov, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kyrgyz Republic; and the ambassadors of Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Kazakhstan in Kabul, representing their respective countries.
In his opening remarks, the Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs of Afghanistan stated that the main objectives of the meeting were the exchange of views and consultations on regional developments, strengthening diplomatic coordination, and expanding joint cooperation between Afghanistan and Central Asian countries.
He further added that the foreign policy of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan is based on the principles of balance and economic orientation, emphasizing Islamic brotherhood, good neighborliness, mutual respect, and cooperation. He noted that Central Asian countries hold a special place in this policy, and that relations between Afghanistan and Central Asia are rooted in deep historical, geographical, religious, cultural, and social ties.
The Foreign Minister also noted that threats from destructive elements such as ISIS, drug trafficking, and organized crimes in the region are shared concerns. He emphasized that Afghan security forces have taken serious measures in this regard and have acted promptly against those attempting to harm friendly relations.
Addressing the meeting, Mr. Niyaz Tursunkulov, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kyrgyzstan, stated that Afghanistan is an important neighbor for Kyrgyzstan and holds a special place in its economic programs. He expressed seriousness in expanding economic relations with Afghanistan and voiced support for the Afghan government’s efforts in combating terrorism and trafficking.
He also called for the release of Afghanistan’s frozen assets and stated that Kyrgyzstan opposes unilateral economic sanctions. Mr. Tursunkulov described sanctions against Afghan authorities as ineffective and unproductive, affirming that his country stands firmly alongside Afghanistan and considers it an important partner for trade in the region.
Mr. Babar Usmanov, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan, stated that Afghanistan should be utilized as a bridge—one that connects nearly two billion people and offers vast investment opportunities. He emphasized the importance of effectively utilizing these capacities.
He added that bilateral trade between the two countries reached $1.7 billion last year, and the goal is to increase it to $5 billion within the next two to three years.
The Ambassador of Turkmenistan, Mr. Khoja Ovezov, stated that the current security and stability in Afghanistan are unprecedented. He emphasized that Turkmenistan, in line with its policy of neutrality, supports the efforts of the international community aimed at rebuilding infrastructure.
He further noted that a meeting of foreign ministers from several countries regarding Afghanistan will be held in Turkmenistan in the near future.
The Ambassador of Tajikistan, Mr. Saadi Sharifi, stated that peace in Afghanistan is among the top priorities of his country’s foreign policy. He expressed special appreciation to Afghan security forces for safeguarding the shared border between the two countries.
He also supported the meeting between Afghanistan and Pakistan held in Urumqi, China, and stressed that issues should be resolved only through peaceful means.
The Ambassador of Kazakhstan, Mr. Gaziz Akbasov, stated that Afghanistan has vast potential in the fields of economy and transit, and that Kazakhstan is committed to supporting the sustainable and effective development of these capacities. He added that economic relations between the two countries have significantly strengthened over the past five years.
In conclusion, the Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi, shared several important proposals with the participants. He emphasized that this multilateral political mechanism, established with the agreement of senior officials from both sides, should be strengthened and sustained.
He proposed that research experts from Afghanistan and Central Asia should convene at an appropriate time to develop a roadmap under this initiative. Within the framework of this roadmap, the following should be pursued:
- Discussion and exchange of views on a shared security perspective regarding common security challenges between Afghanistan and Central Asia
- Establishment of coordinated approaches for trade and transit cooperation between both sides
- Joint efforts to mitigate the negative impacts of climate change
The participants of the meeting described the initiative as effective, expressed their support for the proposals of Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi, and affirmed their commitment to jointly work on their implementation.
