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BURANOV SUHROB
PhD student, TSUOS
New page in common relations of Uzbekistan and Afghanistan
Abstract. It is known from history that two fraternal peoples are connected by one
language, the sacred Islamic religion, traditions and customs, and the invaluable heritage of
great figures. Even when there is no border between the two countries, it is well known that
the great representatives of our people have created a great heritage of culture, history and
science in the territory of modern Afghanistan and this heritage is a common property. In
this sense, a new page of relations between two countries is now emerging.
The nearly half-century war in Afghanistan indicates that this land has become the
heartland of world politics ever since. Afghanistan remains a main point in the field of
competition for the geopolitical maneuvers of the region and its conflicting interests.
Nowadays, this is the result of geopolitical struggle in which there are different views on
achieving peace in the Afghan land. However, it should be noted that Uzbekistan has
some of the most current approaches and its pragmatic and constructive views on the
peace process in Afghanistan that differ from other powers. Uzbekistan is a only country
bordered all Central Asian states as well as Afghanistan. Such a geostrategic axiom will
lead to the recognition of Uzbekistan’s role in the Afghan peace process. This article
analyzes the political, trade, economic, cultural and humanitarian relations of modern
Uzbekistan and Afghanistan and their features. In particular, the article shows relations
with the government of Afghanistan, Tashkent International Conference on Afghanistan,
negotiations with the leadership of the Taliban political office, “Mazar-e-Sharif-Heart”
railroad, “Termiz cargo” international export logistics center, “Mazar-e-Sharif-Kabul-
Peshawar” railroad, “Surkhan-Puli Khumri” power plant, “Uzbekistan-Afghanistan”
Friendship Society, Training Center for Afghan Citizens, International Scientific
Conference on Afghanistan and other many practical works.
Keywords and expressions: common relations, Tashkent International Conference,
Taliban, Mazar-e-Sharif-Herat, Termiz cargo, Mazar-e-Sharif-Kabul-Peshawar, Sur-
khan-Puli Khumri, “Uzbekistan-Afghanistan” Friendship Society.
Аннотация. Тарихдан маълумки, икки қардош халқларни ўзаро ўхшаш тил, муқад-
дас ислом дини, урф-одат ва анъаналар ҳамда буюк сиймоларнинг бебаҳо мероси боғлаб
туради. Ҳаттоки икки давлат ўртасида чегаралар бўлмаган замонларда ҳозирги Афғо-
нистон ҳудудида халқимизнинг буюк вакиллари томонидан маданият, тарих, илм-фанга
оид улкан мерос яратилганлиги, бу мерослар икки мамлакат халқларини умумий мулки
сифатида ўзаро боғлаб келаётганлиги ҳам маълум. Айни шу маънода бугунги кунга келиб
икки давлат ўртасида муштарак муносабатларнинг янги саҳифаси шаклланмоқда.
Афғонистонда давом этаётган қарийб ярим асрлик уруш таҳилили шундан
далолат берадики, мазкур замин тарихдан ҳозирги пайтгача жаҳон сиёсатининг
“Heartland” ҳудудига айланиб улгурди. Ҳозирги кунда афғон заминида тинчликка
эришиш бўйича турлича қарашларнинг мавжуд бўлганлиги ҳам айнан геосиёсий
курашнинг натижаси ҳисобланади. Афғонистон минтақанинг геосиёсий менежерлиги
учун курашаётган ҳамда манфаатлари бир-бирига зид куч марказларининг рақобат
майдонида таянч нуқта бўлиб қолмоқда. Бироқ, алоҳида таъкидлаш жоизки, Ўзбекис-
тоннинг Афғонистон тинчлик жараёни бўйича бошқалардан ўзининг прагматик ва
конструктив жиҳатлари билан фарқ қиладиган долзарб ёндашувлари ва қарашлари
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мавжуд. Ўзбекистон геостратегик жиҳатдан муҳим минтақа ҳисобланган Марказий
Осиёнинг барча давлатлари, қолаверса, Афғонистон билан ҳам чегарадош ягона дав-
лат саналади. Бундай геостратегик аксиома Ўзбекистоннинг Афғонистон тинчлик
жараёнларидаги ролини ҳисобга олишга сабаб бўлади. Мазкур мақолада замонавий
Ўзбекистон ва Афғонистоннинг сиёсий, савдо-иқтисодий ва маданий-гуманитар
муносабатлари ва уларнинг ўзига хос жиҳатлари атрофлича таҳлил этилади.
Хусусан, мақолада Афғонистон ҳукумати билан муносабатлар, Афғонистон бўйича
Тошкент халқаро конференцияси, “Толибон” ҳаракати сиёсий идораси раҳбарлари
билан музокаралар, “Мозори Шариф-Ҳирот” темир йўли, “Termizkargo” халқаро экс-
порт логистика маркази, “Мозори Шариф-Кобул-Пешовар” темир йўли, “Сурхон-
Пули Хумри” электр тармоғи, “Ўзбекистон-Афғонистон” дўстлик жамияти, Афғо-
нистон фуқароларини ўқитиш таълим маркази, Афғонистон бўйича халқаро илмий
конференция ва бошқа бир қатор амалий ишлар ҳақида сўз боради.
Таянч сўз ва иборалар: муштарак муносабатлар, Тошкент халқаро конферен-
цияси, Толибон, “Мозори Шариф-Ҳирот”, “Termizkargo”, “Мозори Шариф-Кобул-
Пешовар”, “Сурхон-Пули Хумри”, “Ўзбекистон-Афғонистон” дўстлик жамияти.
Аннотация. Из истории известно, что два братских народа связаны одним
языком, священной исламской религией, традициями и обычаями и бесценным
наследием великих деятелей. Даже когда нет границ между двумя странами,
хорошо известно, что великие представители нашего народа создали огромное
наследие культуры, истории и науки на территории современного Афганистана, и
это наследие является общей собственностью. В этом смысле новая страница
отношений между двумя странами теперь появляется.
Почти полувековая война в Афганистане свидетельствует о том, что эта земля с
тех пор стала центром мировой политики. Афганистан остается главной точкой в
сфере конкуренции за геополитические маневры региона и его конфликтующие
интересы. В настоящее время это результат геополитической борьбы, в которой
существуют разные взгляды на достижение мира на афганской земле. Тем не менее,
следует отметить, что у Узбекистана есть некоторые из самых современных под-
ходов и его прагматичные и конструктивные взгляды на мирный процесс в Афганис-
тане, которые отличаются от других держав. Узбекистан - единственная страна,
граничащая со всеми государствами Центральной Азии, а также с Афганистаном.
Такая геостратегическая аксиома приведет к признанию роли Узбекистана в
афганском мирном процессе. В данной статье анализируются политические, торгово-
экономические, культурные и гуманитарные отношения современного Узбекистана и
Афганистана и их особенности. В частности, в статье отражены отношения с
правительством Афганистана, Ташкентская международная конференция по Афга-
нистану, переговоры с руководством политического офиса талибов, железная дорога
“Мазари-Шариф-Герат”, международный экспортно-логистический центр “Термиз-
карго”, железная дорога “Мазари-Шариф-Кабул-Пешавар”, электростанция
“Сурхан-Пули Хумри”, Общество дружбы “Узбекистан-Афганистан”, Учебный
центр для афганских граждан, Международная научная конференция по Афганистану
и многие другие практические работы.
Опорные слова и выражения: общие отношения, Ташкентская международная
конференция, Тадибан, Мазари-Шариф-Герат, Термизкарго, Мазари-Шариф-Кабул-
Пешавар, Сурхaн-Пули Хумри, Общество дружбы “Узбекистан-Афганистан”.
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Introduction.
The intensive political processes in the land of Afghanistan,
extensive discussions on security and regional cooperation call for Uzbekistan to
pursue a deeply and well-thought-out policy towards Afghanistan. Addressing the
72nd session of the UN General Assembly, President of the Republic of Uzbekistan
Shavkat Mirziyoev said that “Uzbekistan has been making and will continue its
contribution to the economic reconstruction of Afghanistan, development of its
transport and energy infrastructure, training of national personnel. Stabilization of the
situation in Afghanistan is an important condition to ensure not only regional but
global security, as well”
1
. The new and rapidly changing relations between Uzbe-
kistan and Afghanistan, Afghanistan’s involvement in principles of openness, good
neighborliness and cooperation, and the growing interest in strategic economic
projects in the region show that Uzbekistan is drawing an impressive diplomacy map
of region and Afghanistan.
Purpose and objective:
The purpose of the article is to reveal the contemporary
aspects of Uzbek-Afghan relations. The study of political, economic, trade, transport,
cultural and humanitarian relations between the two countries as main tasks were identified.
Methods:
Systematic analysis, comparative-political analysis and synthesis were
used in the writing of scientific articles.
Results and remarks:
Mutual relations of Uzbekistan and Afghanistan are on a new
level. The following important actions reflect the important aspects of the relationship:
Political and security relations
On January 23-24, 2017, the delegation of Uzbekistan headed by the Minister of
Foreign Affairs Abdulaziz Kamilov paid an official visit to Afghanistan on the
instruction of the head of our state to further strengthen and develop the cooperation
between the two countries. An enlarged meeting was held under the chairmanship of
President Muhammad Ashraf Ghani with the participation of the Uzbek delegation
and key members of the Afghan government. The meeting discussed issues of
mutually beneficial and comprehensive cooperation, including transport, transit, oil
and gas and large-scale infrastructure projects in Afghanistan. Following the meeting,
the sides signed five important documents. These five cooperation agreements were
signed at the Afghan President’s residence, led by Foreign Minister Abdulaziz
Kamilov and Afghan Foreign Minister Salahuddin Rabbani. It is worth noting that
such important documents as On cooperation in countering the illicit trafficking of
narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances and their precursors, Memorandum of
Understanding between the two countries’ Foreign ministers, Protocol on cooperation
in transport and other projects of the two countries, Protocol for establishing a joint
commission for security issues and the Action Plan for the development of
cooperation between Uzbekistan and Afghanistan (road map of cooperation between
1
Мирзиёев Ш.М. Халқимизнинг розилиги бизнинг фаолиятимизга берилган энг олий
баҳодир. [Mirziyoyev Sh.M. Our people’s consent is the highest genius to our work. (In Uzbek)].
– Т.: Uzbekistan, 2018. – P.251.
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the parties)
1
. The official visit of the President of Afghanistan Ashraf Ghani to
Uzbekistan on December 4-6, 2017 was great importance in the development of
relations between Uzbekistan and Afghanistan. Following the talks, the Joint
Statement of the Presidents of Uzbekistan and Afghanistan and 16 documents on
strengthening cooperation in various fields were signed. A new major political step in
Uzbekistan’s Afghan policy is the Tashkent International Conference on Afghanistan,
entitled “
Peace Process, Security Cooperation and Regional Connentivity
”, held on
March 26-27, 2018. According to Omar Nessar, director of the Center for the Study
of Modern Afghanistan, the involvement of Afghanistan’s northern neighbors in
resolving the Afghan crisis has not yet been so vivid. The Tashkent Conference talks
about a serious change in the Afghan course of Uzbekistan
2
. The Tashkent summit
gathered together representatives of the United States, Russia and China which have
different views on Afghanistan, members of the influential organization such as
UNO, EU, NATO, OIC, SCO and particularly Central Asian states and created a
unique geopolitical platform for achieving overall peace in Afghanistan. The most
important thing is that Uzbekistan supports the need for direct negotiations without
preconditions between the Afghan government and the Taliban, which is recognized
as the main political force in the opposition, as well as according to the willingness of
the Afghan people to become a dialogue area at any time during these peace talks. In
this context, Uzbekistan has established links with the Taliban and exchanged views
on the prospects for peace in Afghanistan. The delegation headed by former head of
the political office of the Taliban in Doha, Sher Mohammad Abbas Stanekzai visited
Uzbekistan on August 7-10, 2018
3
. It is noteworthy that the Taliban movement’s
regional involvement start in the negotiation process through Tashkent has once again
demonstrated the geopolitical role and influence of Uzbekistan in the Afghan peace
process. A working meeting took place in March 3, 2019 between the Minister of
Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Uzbekistan Abdulaziz Kamilov and the head of the
political office of the Taliban Movement in Doha Mullah Baradar Akhund. Special
representative of the President of Uzbekistan on Afghanistan Ismatulla Irgashev also
attended the negotiations. Mullah Baradar Akhund praised the policy of the President
of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev aimed at promoting peace process in Afghanistan.
He emphasized the significance and results of the Tashkent Conference on
Afghanistan held in March last year, which gave a powerful impetus to intensification
1
جنﭘ
دنس
ه
ىراکم
نايم
ناتسناغفا
ناتسکبزا و
اضما
دش
/
/
هﭼ .ام ناتسناغفا همانزور
ا
ر
هبنش
۶
ولد
١۳٩۵
2017
25
January
٬
لاس
مهدزاي
-
هرامش
۳٠٧٠
لباک .
.
:
-
.ص
١
-
۵
.
[Uzbekistan and Afghanistan sign five cooperation agreement]. The Daily Afghanistan Ma newspaper.
Wednesday January 25, 2017 (Dalw 06, 1395). Volume № 3070. – Kabul.: pp.1-5. (In Dari).
2
Tashkent predlojil novyy plan, kak primerit Kabul i talibov. [Tashkent proposed a new plan, as
Kabul and the Taliban will try on].
Available at: www.newsland.com/community/8318/content/tashkent-predlozhil-novyi-plan-kak-
primirit-kabul-i-talibov/6271617
3
Delegation of Taliban visits Uzbekistan.
Available at: www.mfa.uz/en/press/news/2018/08/15768/
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of international efforts for a peaceful settlement of the Afghan conflict. In addition, a
representative of the Taliban’s leadership welcomed the initiatives of Uzbekistan on
implementation of important economic projects in transport, energy and education in
Afghanistan. He emphasized that large infrastructure projects implemented by
Uzbekistan will contribute not only to the economic development of Afghanistan, but
also create necessary conditions for launching a full-fledged political process in the
country. Thus, in the future Afghanistan may become a “bridge of trust and coope-
ration” between Central and South Asia
1
. The meeting with Baradar was significant
enough that upon return to Tashkent, on March 6, Kamilov met with an Afghan
delegation led by Hamdullah Mohib, Afghan President Ashraf Ghani’s national
security advisor. Official reports on that meeting are similarly vague, but Kamilov
likely briefed the Afghan delegation on his trip to Doha
2
. On March 31, 2019,
Secretary of the Security Council under the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan
Victor Mahmudov and Abdulaziz Kamilov announced that Uzbekistan is ready to
host any form of Afghan peace process. At the meeting Afghan Foreign minister
Salohuddin Rabboni highly assessed Uzbekistan’s role in the Afghan peace processes
and said that Uzbekistan is a good and believable friend for Afghanistan in this
regard
3
. Support for holding the next round of intra-Afghan dialogue in Samarkand
by the head of the Taliban political office in Doha who visited Tashkent on August 8,
2019
4
indicates that all parties have a growing interest in the role of Uzbekistan in the
political settlement of the Afghan peace process.
Moreover, the United States Special Representative on Afghanistan reconcialition
Zalmay Khalilzad praised Uzbekistan’s position in the Afghan peace process and has
visited Tashkent twice. He was noted that the results of the International Conference
on Afghanistan, held in March in Tashkent, determined the areas of international
steps and became the basis for joint action on peaceful settlement of the Afghan issue.
The Special Representative stressed that the United States supports Uzbekistan’s
constructive efforts to promote the inter-Afghan peace talks, in particular, the
initiative to hold the next round of dialogue in Samarkand with participation of
Afghan government officials
5
. These visits, in fact, confirm the official recognition of
Uzbekistan’s active geopolitical role in the region.
1
Uzbek Foreign Minister Meets Taliban’s Leadership.
Available at: https://www.mfa.uz/en/press/news/2019/03/18029
2
Hashimova U. What is Uzbekistan’s Role in the Afghan Peace Process?
Available at: https://thediplomat.com/2019/03/what-is-uzbekistans-role-in-the-afghan-peace-process/
3
فا یارب دامتعا لباق تسود ناتسکيبزا .ینابر نيدلا حلاص
لسلسم ربمن ،سينا همانزور .ناتسناغ
٢۴١١
.مکي و دون ،لاس
–
.ص
١
.
[Salahuddin Rabbani. Uzbekistan is believable friend for Afghanistan]. Newspaper Anis. 2019, №
24-11, pp.1. (In Dari).
4
Meeting with the representatives of the Taliban.
Available at: https://mfa.uz/en/press/news/2019/08/20399/
5
President of the Republic of Uzbekistan receives the United States delegation.
Available at: https://www.mfa.uz/en/press/news/2018/12/17005
Shavkat Mirziyoyev receives the US Special Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation.
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Economic and transport-trade relations
Implementation of new approaches in trade, economic and transport relations
between Uzbekistan and Afghanistan is starting to make significant changes. Such
changes require extensive involvement of Afghanistan in regional economic projects,
which have separated from the international trade system due to the military-political
situation. Also, the trade and economic and transit potential of the Central Asian
region will not be fully realized without Afghanistan’s involvement. As emphasis of
the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoev that “One of the
priority tasks is the comprehensive assistance in terms of Afghanistan’s integration
into regional economic processes. This will be the major contribution to the efforts of
the international community to ensure peaceful development in Afghanistan”
1
.
Uzbekistan has carried out enormous creative works in the Afghan history, which
has not carried out such great powers as Great Britain, the USSR and the United
States. Uzbekistan is the only country that has already built the first and only one
“Hairatan-Mazar-e-Sharif railway” in the war-torn Afghanistan. As a result of the
existing section of the railway created 1,200 jobs. More than 7 million Afghans were
able to use the services of the railway
2
. Acccording to Afghan officials, about half of
Afghanistan’s imports and a significant volume of humanitarian supplies were
imported along this route. This shows the practical role of Uzbekistan in the
economic recovery of Afghanistan. Moreover, the agreement on the construction of
the Mazar-e-Sharif-Herat railway, reached during Afghan President Ashraf Ghani’s
official visit to Uzbekistan in December 2017 is particularly important. The railway is
a continuation of the existing Hairatan-Mazar-e-Sharif rail line, which was
constructed by Uzbek specialists.
The construction of the Mazar-e-Sharif-Herat railway and ensuring its effective
functioning will contribute to the successful integration of the countries of Central
Asia and Afghanistan into international transport and trade systems in several ways:
First, the implementation of the Mazar-e-Sharif-Herat railway project will make a
real contribution to international efforts for the socio-economic reconstruction of
Afghanistan. According to expert estimates, the opening of a direct link to the Iranian
port of Chabahar as a result of the implementation of the Mazar-e-Sharif-Herat
railway project could increase Afghanistan’s foreign trade turnover by 50 percent;
Second, the implementation of the project will open a new stage in achieving
regional consensus between the countries involved in the Afghan peace process by
creating objective conditions for cooperation, rather than competition. All of
Available at: https://www.mfa.uz/en/press/news/2019/04/18572
1
Мирзиёев Ш.М. Халқимизнинг розилиги бизнинг фаолиятимизга берилган энг олий
баҳодир. [Mirziyoyev Sh.M. Our people’s consent is the highest genius to our work. (In Uzbek)].
– Т.: Uzbekistan, 2018. – P.269.
2
Maksim Yenesiv. Uzbekistan nameren postroyt zheleznuyu dorogu iz Mazary-Sharifa v Gerat.
[Uzbekistan intends to build a railway from Mazari Sharif to Herat].
Available at: http://central.asianews.com/ru/articles/cnmi_ca/features/2017/09/13/
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Afghanistan’s neighbors and regional partners, primarily India, Iran and Pakistan would
benefit economically from the constriction of the Mazar-e-Sharif-Herat railway;
Third, the prospect of using the transit and infrastructure potential of the Uzbek-
Afghan transport corridor opens the possibility for Central Asian states to access the
Indian Ocean’s sea trade routes. The realization of trans-Afghanistan transport and
communication projects along with other equally important regional projects such as
the Uzbekistan-Turkmenistan-Iran-Oman route and the Uzbekistan-Kyrgyzstan-
China railway project creates the necessary conditions for the development of
efficient intercontinental transport corridors
1
.
In this context, Afghan specialists and other experts are drawing attention
geopolitical importance of this project. According to the head of the transit depart-
ment of the Ministry of Commerce and Industries of Afghanistan Yahya Akhlaqi,
Afghanistan-Uzbekistan trade and transit ties are improving - which is in favor of the
two nations. With Uzbekistan’s investments in Mazar-e-Sharif-Herat railway,
Uzbekistan’s goods will be transported easily to Iran, even from Iran to the Gulf
countries
2
. Abdul-Bari Siddiqui Deputy Chairman of the Afghanistan Railway
Administration emphasizes that the project is strategically important for the region
and the implementation of this project will enable Uzbekistan to export directly to
Iranian ports and expand trade relations between Uzbekistan, Afghanistan, Iran,
Kyrgyzstan and China
3
. Oriental studier, expert Aleksandr Knyazev says that The
Hairatan-Mazar-e-Sharif road is not included in the large transnational network, and
the projected road to Herat and further to Iran immediately acquires a specific
geopolitical significance and fundamentally contradicts the interests of the United
States
4
. It can partly agree with this opinion, but specifically, this project can serve as
an important way to bring transit supplies of the United States and Europe to
Afghanistan through the Northern Distribution Network. It can not be denied that
China can easily transport its transport goods and products from Uzbekistan to the
Persian Gulf along this road and become an important component of the project “One
Belt, One Road”. In turn, this project can be an integral part of “Chabahar” and
“North-South” project. Currently, another geoeconomic project is being proposed by
Uzbekistan. A meeting of the heads of the railway administrations of Uzbekistan,
1
Karimova Z. Connecting Asia: Uzbekistan Looks to Capitalize on Central Asia’s Transport
Potential.
Available at: https://thediplomat.com/2018/04/connecting-asia-uzbekistan-looks-to-capitalize-on-
central-asias-transport-potential/
2
Uzbekistan Builds Transit Hub At Afghan Border.
Available at:https://www.tolonews.com/business/uzbekistan-builds-transit-hub-afghan-border
3
Posol Afganistana v Uzbekistane rasskzal o perspektivakh razvitiya sotrudnichestva mezhdu
dvumya stranam. [Afghan Ambassador to Uzbekistan said about the prospects for development of
cooperation between two countries] November 1, 2017.
Available at:www.gumilev-center.af/archives/7758
4
Aleksandr Knyazev. Mifologiya transafganskikh proyektov. [Mythology of trans-Afghan projects]
Available at:http://www.ng.ru/dipkurer/2019-01-27/11_7492_mythology.html
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Russia, Kazakhstan, Afghanistan and Pakistan took place on the 3rd - 4th of
December 2018 in Tashkent. The agenda included a topical issue, the importance and
significance of which, without exaggeration, can be called historical, this is the
implementation of the project to build the Mazar-e-Sharif-Kabul-Peshawar railway
line. Following the meeting, The Protocol was signed on the establishment of a joint
working group and a financial consortium between the railway administrations of
Uzbekistan, Russia, Kazakhstan, Afghanistan and Pakistan
1
. This network plays an
important role in linking Eurasia, including Central Asia and South Asia. Another
favorable factor for the construction project is that along the proposed railway, it is
planned to build high-voltage power lines Surkhan-Puli-Khumri-Doshi-Surabai-
Djelalalabad-Peshawar (Pakistan). And this means that there is the possibility of
building an electrified railway with the positive sides arising from this. At the same
time, before the construction of the railway line, it can use the existing international
highway. The establishment of logistics centres at Mazar-e-Sharif station (Afghanis-
tan) and Peshawar station (Pakistan) for intermodal transport (rail and road) will
attract interest in the transport of goods in this direction
2
. The significance of this
project is very great and it determines the role of Uzbekistan linking to the SCO
member states - Russia, China, India, Pakistan and Central Asian countries via
Afghanistan. In this context, the launch of the International Export Logistics Center
“Termiz cargo” on the border with Afghanistan will increase the export relations in
the region. In addition, Uzbekistan supports TAPI and CASA-1000 regional projects
and assists them to involve Afghanistan in regional economic activities.
Socio-economic recovery in Afghanistan is one of the most important conditions
for peace. Opening of the consulate of Afghanistan in Termez will intensify contacts
between the citizens of the two countries, especially the development of joint projects
and investments by the business community. On November 29, 2017, direct flight
between Tashkent and Kabul was launched. Trading houses have been set up in
Kabul and Mazar-e-Sharif, Afghanistan. Special attention is paid to the construction
of an electricity transmission line from Uzbekistan’s Surkhandarya region to Pul-e-
Khumri in Afghanistan. It can be understand the significance of the project from the
views of Special representative of the President of Uzbekistan on Afghanistan
Ismatilla Ergashev: “Surkhan-Puli Khumri”s new electricity will help Afghanistan to
connect to the sole power grid of Central Asia and in the long term it will be possible
to export electricity to Pakistan through that country”
3
. Vohidulla Tavhidi a repre-
sentative of Afghanistan’s De Afghanistan Breshna Sherkat said that De Afghanistan
Breshna Sherkat highly estimated this step taken by Uzbekistan and this project will
1
New transport corridor, new opportunities and large-scale prospects.
Available at:http://www.railway.uz/en/informatsionnaya_sluzhba/novosti/12643/
2
Ibragimov U.N. Transport Corridor Russia-Kazakhstan-Uzbekistan- Afghanistan-Pakistan.
Available at:http://transport-koridori.blogspot.com.
3
Эргашев И. Ўзбекистон бундан кейин ҳам тинчлик жараёнига кўмаклашади. [Uzbekistan will
continue to support the peace process]. Халқ сўзи – People’s word. March 29, 2017, № 61 (7019), pp. 1-2.
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significantly reduce the electricity tariffs in Afghanistan. Uzbekistan now exports 300
MW of electricity to Afghanistan for 5 cents. Experts in the economic sector believe
that Uzbekistan’s decision will create a new era of competition among energy suppliers
in the region
1
. During the visit of Prime Minister of Uzbekistan A.Aripov to
Afghanistan in July 2019, he stated that the transmission of power line from Surkhan
area in Uzbekistan to Pul-e-Khomri city in Afghanistan which is almost 200 kilometers
in length and it costs $110 million but Uzbekistan is ready to provide a discount of $45
million for Afghanistan
2
. From the foregoing, it is clear that Uzbekistan is not only
contributing to the economic recovery of Afghanistan, but also creating all the
conditions for the strategic economic development of the Central Asian region.
Cultural and humanitarian relations
We can see the rapid expansion of cultural and humanitarian ties in the
partnership between Uzbekistan and Afghanistan. It should be noted that Uzbekistan
avoids sternotyped approaches and introduces innovative approaches and initiatives
to address the Afghan problem. Uzbekistan is helping to create the necessary
conditions for the development of education and training of national personnel in
Afghanistan. In particular, starting from January 2018 in Termez, Surkhandarya
region, the training center for Afghan citizens will play a key role not only in the
training of Afghan specialists, but also in the development of Uzbek-Afghan cultural
and humanitarian ties. A significant feature of the cultural-humanitarian relationship
is that, “Uzbekistan-Afghanistan” Friendship Society was established on the initiative
of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan in 2018. The main purpose of this
society is to develop cultural, educational and educational ties between the peoples of
Uzbekistan and Afghanistan. International scientific conference “Afghanistan at the
crossroads of the XX and XXI centuries: historical, socio-economical, political
dimentions and issues of interaction of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan with the
countries of Central Asia” which was held in June 21-22, 2019 under the joint
cooperation of Tashkent State Institute of Oriental Studies and “Uzbekistan-
Afghanistan” Friendship Society opened new opportunities in Afghan studies in
Central Asia, especially in Uzbekistan. The conference analyzed the historical vision
of Afghanistan’s development, socio-political, economic and cultural and humani-
tarian relations between Afghanistan and Central Asian countries together leading
experts, scholars, researchers and specialists from Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan,
Afghanistan, USA, Russia, China, India, the Netherlands and other countries
3
. This
1
Uzbekistan snizil tarify na elektrichestvo dlya Afganistana. [Uzbekistan reduced electricity tariffs
for Afghanistan] April 10, 2018.
Available at:www.gumilev-center.af/archives/9702
2
Uzbekistan Vows to Discount $45M for Power Transmission Project in Afghanistan. July 1, 2019.
Available
at:
https://ariananews.af/uzbekistan-vows-to-discount-45m-for-power-transmission-
project-in-afghanistan/
3
Materials of International scientific conference “Afghanistan at the crossroads of the XX and
XXI centuries: historical, socio-economical, political dimentions and issues of interaction of the
Islamic Republic of Afghanistan with the countries of Central Asia”. Tashkent, 2019. – 428 p.
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will give a new impetus for further scientific and educational cooperation in the
future. Taking into account the aforementioned factors, it is clear that the cultural and
humanitarian ties between the two peoples still have a lot of potential to be realized.
Conclusion.
With developing of open, friendly and mutually beneficial cooperation
with neighbors to a special level, involving all Afghan political forces in political
negotiations on peace and stability in Afghanistan, cooperation in security and active
participation of Afghanistan in large regional economic processes Uzbekistan created a
new geodiplomacy environment in Afghanistan and Central Asia region. In this sense,
the diplomacy of Uzbekistan on Afghanistan enhances its significant role and importance
and in turn creates a new geopolitical architecture of the region.
In view of these aspects, we think it is advisable to:
-
establish “Afghanistan Research Analytical Center” in Tashkent taking into account
the intensification of relations between Uzbekistan and Afghanistan in various fields and
active diplomacy of Uzbekistan in the peace process in Afghanistan;
found “Afghanistan” Information Agency under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
of Uzbekistan with a view to prompt, unbiased and objective reflection of the
relations between Uzbekistan and Afghanistan. It would be appropriate for the agency
to cover not only news about Uzbek-Afghan relations, but also analytical materials on
political events in and around Afghanistan and Uzbekistan’s foreign policy position
in Uzbek, Russian, English and Dari.
