Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- On 1 February 2021, Minister of Energy of the Republic of Uzbekistan Alisher Sultanov held talks with the head of the Presidential Administration of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, Muhammad Shokir Korgar.

The meeting took place within the framework of the visit to Uzbekistan of the delegation of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, headed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Afghanistan, Muhammad Hanif Atmar.

The Afghan side expressed sincere gratitude to Uzbekistan for its constant assistance in establishing electricity supplies, as well as the ongoing policy of our country to develop border trade and create conditions for Afghan citizens to receive higher education in Uzbekistan.

The Afghan side also noted that Afghanistan will take all the necessary measures to carry out work within the framework of the project for the construction of a 500 kV power transmission line Surkhan-Puli-Khumri on its territory. It was emphasized that the implementation of this project is under the special control of the country's leadership.

Also, Mr. Korgar highly appreciated the reforms in the energy sector of Uzbekistan aimed at increasing the volume of electricity production, one of the first results of which is the start of construction by ACWA Power (Saudi Arabia) of a new thermal power plant in Syrdarya region.

The parties discussed the course of implementation of partnership projects, as well as new promising areas of cooperation, an agreement was reached to accelerate the implementation of joint activities in these areas.