Ghani eyes access to Europe via Uzbekistan

KABUL with European markets via Uzbekistan.

Speaking to Uzbek and Tajik diplomats during separate meetings late on Monday at the Presidential Palace, Ahmadzai vowed to turn Afghanistan into an a power-generating hub.

A statement from his office said president and Uzbekistan Ambassador Yadgar Khodzha Shadmanov discussed bilateral cooperation, particularly in areas of security, construction of communications.

Ahmadzai said Afghanistan and Uzbekistan enjoyed historic relations as evident from similarities in Balkh and Bukhara.

He stressed enhanced relations between the two countries on the platform of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), saying Afghanistan wanted to connect to European markets via Uzbekistan.

Ahmadzai said Uzbekistan had great experience in construction field and Afghanistan was enthusiastic to benefit from that experience.

The president also said that terrorism had threatened common regional interests and called for joint efforts to combat the menace.

For his part, the Uzbek envoy congratulated Ahmadzai on his election as president and said his country wanted peace and stability in Afghanistan.

He said his country would expand cooperation with the national unity government in areas of transport, electricity, railroad, commerce and transit trade.

Also on Monday, Tajikistan Ambassador in Kabul Sharifuddin Imamov called on President Ahmadzai at the Presidential Palace.

They discussed bilateral cooperation in transport and energy sectors and infrastructure development projects including railways line.

Ahmadzai thanked Imamov for uninterrupted electricity supply to during winter and expressed his desire to turn Afghanistan into an electricity centre in future.

While updating Ahmadzai about progress Tajikistan has achieved in various sectors, Imamov said his country was ready to share its experience with Afghanistan.

The envoy also said his country was committed to continuously cooperating with Afghanistan in diverse fields.

ma/mud

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