KABUL: Uzbekistan’s Prime Minister Abdullah Aripov arrived in Afghanistan on Saturday, marking the highest-level visit by a foreign official since the Taliban regained control of the country in August 2021. The visit underscores a significant moment in diplomatic relations between Uzbekistan and Afghanistan, as both nations seek to strengthen their economic and trade ties.
Aripov, leading a high-level delegation, was greeted at Kabul’s Hamid Karzai International Airport by Abdul Salam Hanafi, the Taliban’s deputy prime minister, along with other senior members of the Taliban government.
During his visit, Aripov held meetings with key Taliban leaders to discuss bilateral relations, focusing on enhancing trade and business cooperation between Uzbekistan and Afghanistan.
According to a statement from the Afghan Ministry of Industry and Commerce, the visit resulted in the signing of five trade and investment agreements. These agreements are expected to foster closer economic ties and facilitate increased bilateral trade.
The visit included the inauguration of an exhibition showcasing Uzbek products, aimed at promoting economic and cultural exchange between the two nations. The exhibition serves as a platform for Uzbek businesses to introduce their products to the Afghan market and explore potential opportunities for collaboration.
Earlier in the week, an Uzbek delegation had engaged in discussions with officials from Afghanistan’s Ministry of Commerce. On Friday, Afghan media reported that a trilateral meeting took place in Kabul involving the economy ministers of Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, and Azerbaijan. The meeting focused on strategies to enhance trade relations among the three countries.
Uzbekistan and Afghanistan share a 144-kilometer (89-mile) border, and recent developments suggest a positive shift in their relationship.
Since the Taliban’s takeover in 2021, Afghanistan has faced international isolation, with the global community largely refraining from recognizing the Taliban government. The Taliban’s stringent policies, especially those affecting women’s rights and minority groups, have drawn widespread criticism and hindered international engagement.
