A delegation of Uzbekistan takes part in international conference on Afghanistan in Geneva
29/11/2018 17:14
A delegation of Uzbekistan takes part in international conference on Afghanistan in Geneva
29/11/2018 17:14
Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- An international conference on Afghanistan was held on 28 November 2018 in Geneva (Switzerland), in which a delegation of the Republic of Uzbekistan led by Foreign Minister Abdulaziz Kamilov took part.
The conference was organized by the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan and the United Nations.
The forum was attended by the President of Afghanistan Mohammad Ashraf Ghani, representatives of about 70 states, including the countries of Central Asia, India, Iran, and Pakistan.
The conference participants discussed the current state and prospects for a peaceful resolution of the Afghan conflict, support for initiatives and mechanisms for regional cooperation, as well as possible ways to achieve sustainable and long-term peace and stability in Afghanistan.
Uzbek Foreign Minister in his speech said that the most important condition for establishing long-term peace and stability in Afghanistan is the formation of a consensus at the global and regional levels.
The Tashkent Conference on Afghanistan, held in March this year at the initiative of the Presidents of Uzbekistan and Afghanistan - Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Ashraf Gani, markedly intensified the efforts of the international community to resolve the situation in Afghanistan.
Today, everyone shares a common understanding of the need to join the peace process, along with the Taliban movement, of all intra-Afghan political forces, including members of ethnic minorities.
None of the Afghans should remain outside the peaceful political process. Consolidation of the entire Afghan society is needed around national interests in the name of peace and prosperity in the country.
Today, the fatigue of the Afghan people from senseless bloodshed, their desire to start a new, peaceful life is becoming more pronounced.
Uzbekistan considers itself part of the process of promoting peace and stability in Afghanistan.
In order to implement the Tashkent Declaration in consultation with Kabul, Uzbekistan held talks with leaders of the main Afghan domestic political forces, as well as with representatives of the Taliban Movement.
In addition, on the issue of an Afghan settlement, contacts are maintained with China¸ Pakistan, Iran, the United States, Russia, India and other countries of the region, as well as key states of the Muslim world.
As the Minister noted, along with efforts to reconcile the parties, it is necessary to invest in the economic future, the social stability of Afghanistan and the younger generation of Afghans.
Today Uzbekistan provides comprehensive assistance to the economic recovery of Afghanistan, its involvement in regional ties and supports projects such as TAPI, CASA-1000. Our country is focused on the practical implementation of the following transport, energy, trade and education initiatives vital for Afghanistan.
First, the construction of the Mazar-i-Sharif-Herat railway corridor. The implementation of this project will provide 30,000 Afghans with work, and will allow Kabul to annually make profits from transit in the amount of US$400-500 million.
Plans also include building a road from Mazar-i-Sharif through Kabul to Peshawar. In order to discuss this project, 3-4 December 2018, a special working meeting will be held in Tashkent with the participation of representatives of the railways of Russia, Kazakhstan, Pakistan, Afghanistan and Uzbekistan. This road can become part of the Eurasian concept of interconnectedness, which today is supported by the European Union.
Secondly, the construction of a power line Surkhan-Pul-Khumri. The power transmission lines will increase the supply of electricity from Uzbekistan to Afghanistan by 70% - up to 6 billion kWh per year.
The line will connect Kabul to the unified energy system of Central Asia. Moreover, the Surkhan-Puli-Khumri power transmission line can become an integral part of the CASA-1000 project.
Thirdly, the training of Afghan specialists.
Currently, in Uzbekistan, in the city of Termez, an Educational Center for the training of Afghan citizens is successfully functioning, in which 130 Afghan students, boys and girls study. In the future, it is planned to increase the number of students to 250 students.
Abdulaziz Kamilov urged everyone to join efforts to create a special International Fund for Education Support in Afghanistan.
Fourth, the promotion of trade with Afghanistan. At the initiative of the President of Uzbekistan, an international logistics center was established in Termez with a customs terminal Termez-Cargo-Center, designed to promote an increase in export-import and transit cargo flows.
On the basis of the specially created Free Economic Zone “Termez”, it is planned to open industrial facilities for the production of finished products necessary for projects and programs implemented in Afghanistan.
Uzbekistan also regularly supplies humanitarian aid to Afghanistan. In particular, in the summer of this year, in connection with the acute drought, more than 3 thousand tons of grain, food and clothing were donated to Afghanistan. In addition, on behalf of the President of Uzbekistan, 25 buses and agricultural equipment were donated to the Afghan people.
The trade turnover between Uzbekistan and Afghanistan in the last months of this year increased by 25% and amounted to more than US$600 million. At the same time, in the very near future, it is planned to increase bilateral trade to US$1 billion.
In conclusion, it was stressed that only the Afghans themselves and under the leadership of the people of Afghanistan should undergo a political process to establish lasting peace in the country.
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