Kazakhstan and Afghanistan signed a memorandum of understanding on the basic principles of the construction and operation of the railway, which will connect the central and southern Asia.
The document was signed between the Ministry of Transport of Kazakhstan and the Ministry of Public Works of Afghanistan following a visit to Kabul of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan Murat Nurtleu. This was reported in the press service of the foreign policy of the republic.
During the visit of Nurtleu, he held negotiations with the acting deputy prime minister of Afghanistan on economic issues Abdul Gani Baradar, as well as the acting Minister of Foreign Affairs Amir Khan Muttaki.
The parties discussed the prospects for cooperation in trade, economic, agrarian, transit spheres, as well as in the field of digitalization and exploration.
The Foreign Minister of Kazakhstan emphasized that Astana considers Afghanistan as part of the Central Asian region and is aimed at strengthening a confidential and constructive dialogue.
today Afghanistan has become for us one of the important partners with whom we are actively developing a trade and economic agenda. We are aimed at increasing the turnover of up to 3 billion US dollars. For this, Kazakhstan is ready to increase the supply of agricultural products, fuels and lubricants, fertilizers and chemical products, ”the minister said.
According to Nurtleu, logistics, digitalization, mining and expansion of mutual trade remain priority areas. Particular attention was paid to the supply of Afghan products – fruits, drinks and mineral water – to the Kazakhstan market, including through the border point of Turgundy and the territory of Turkmenistan.
The parties discussed in detail the creation of an effective transport and logistics infrastructure, including the development of the Transafgan route.
Kazakhstan confirmed the intention to invest in the construction of the Turgundi -Herat railway.
The Kazakh side also expressed the willingness to expand humanitarian programs in the field of food security and healthcare.
In the context of cultural and humanitarian cooperation, an increase in two times a number of quotas for Afghan students within the framework of existing educational programs was announced.
Mutaki thanked Kazakhstan for assisting in promoting Afghan themes on international venues and humanitarian support. He expressed full support for the creation of the UN regional center for sustainable development goals in Almaty.
Upon completion of the meetings, the parties confirmed the readiness for further active and mutually beneficial dialogue in all areas of mutual interest.