Taliban and Uzbekistan Foreign Ministers Discuss Economic Cooperation in Phone Call
Uzbekistan’s Foreign Ministry announced that Bakhtiyar Saeedov, the country’s foreign minister, held a phone call with Amir Khan Muttaqi, the foreign minister of the Taliban administration, to discuss the development of bilateral relations with a special focus on economic cooperation.
In a statement released on Saturday, February 20, on the ministry’s official website, it was noted that both sides emphasized “strengthening good neighborly relations and enhancing regional connectivity.” According to the ministry, these cooperations are considered foundational for long-term stability, sustainable development, and mutual prosperity in the region.
The Taliban Foreign Ministry also issued a separate statement announcing that Amir Khan Muttaqi, in the call, spoke about the “shared interests and abundant opportunities” in bilateral relations and regional issues and stressed the importance of working jointly on these opportunities.
According to the Taliban administration’s announcement, the Uzbek foreign minister also said that feasibility studies for the “Afghan-Trans” railway project would soon commence. This project is part of a regional transport corridor that connects Afghanistan to Pakistan via Uzbekistan.
Previously, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, the President of Uzbekistan, signed an international agreement related to the feasibility study of this railway line. The agreement aims to establish a framework for trilateral cooperation to create a transit route linking Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, and Pakistan.
While the Taliban administration remains unrecognized by many countries, the continuation of such contacts and economic projects could impact Afghanistan’s economic situation. However, experts consistently emphasize the need for transparency, security guarantees for the projects, and ensuring the interests of the Afghan people in any regional agreements.
