Afghanistan ‘fully ready’ for Trans-Afghan railway project: Muttaqi

INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
Acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi has said in a phone call with his Uzbek counterpart that Afghanistan is fully prepared for the
implementation of the Trans-Afghan railway project. During the call, the two sides discussed strengthening bilateral and multilateral
relations, as well as expanding political, economic and transit cooperation, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Kabul said in a statement on
Sunday. Uzbek Foreign Minister Bakhtiyor Saidov noted that Afghanistans exports to Uzbekistan have tripled in the first four months of 2025
compared to last year
He vowed to create more facilities in the field of trade and transit between the two countries, especially in issuing visas to Afghan
citizens. Meanwhile, Amir Khan Muttaqi said that Afghanistan is fully prepared for the implementation of major economic projects such as the
Trans-Afghan railway project and for the strengthening of political, trade and transit cooperation with Uzbekistan
He said that the existing opportunities should be utilized for the mutual benefit of the two countries. The two sides also discussed the
holding of a trilateral meeting between Afghanistan, Uzbekistan and Pakistan at the level of foreign ministers and agreed to coordinate
through diplomatic channels to determine the exact date and place of the meeting. The three neighboring countries signed an agreement in
February 2021 to construct a 573-kilometer railway line through Afghanistan, connecting landlocked Central Asia to Pakistan seaports, with
an estimated cost of $4.8 billion to enhance regional economic connectivity. Pakistans Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar
held a telephone conversation with Uzbek foreign minister last Thursday to discuss the Trans-Afghan railway project. Dar expressed hope that
the three countries would soon sign a framework agreement on this important regional project. The post Afghanistan ‘fully ready for
Trans-Afghan railway project: Muttaqi first appeared on TINS News.