Afghanistan remains a key topic on Central Asia’s diplomatic agenda. A meeting took place at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan between Kazakhstan’s Ambassador to Uzbekistan, Beibut Atamkulov, and the Special Representative of the President of Uzbekistan for Afghanistan, Ismatulla Irgashev. The discussion made it clear that dialogue on this track is moving beyond formality toward practical, long-term solutions, DKNews.kz reports.
Afghanistan as a factor of regional stability
The sides held an in-depth exchange on the current state and future prospects of cooperation with Afghanistan in the trade, economic and humanitarian spheres. Particular attention was given to the idea of gradually integrating Afghanistan into regional economic ties.
From Kazakhstan’s perspective, long-term stability cannot be achieved through isolation. A phased inclusion of Afghanistan in regional trade and economic processes is seen as one of the most realistic pathways toward sustainable peace.
Humanitarian support without interruption
Beibut Atamkulov highly praised Uzbekistan’s efforts aimed at promoting lasting peace and stability in Afghanistan, as well as its continued humanitarian assistance to the Afghan people. He emphasized the importance of maintaining humanitarian support and underlined that it remains a critical element of regional security.
Humanitarian engagement, the sides noted, is not merely a charitable measure. It directly influences social stability and migration dynamics across Central Asia.
Investment and logistics: looking ahead
Investment projects were another key focus of the meeting. The Uzbek side briefed its counterparts on ongoing humanitarian and economic support measures for Afghanistan and shared assessments regarding the prospects for major projects, particularly in transport and logistics.
The development of transport corridors and logistics infrastructure is viewed as a strategic priority capable of linking Afghanistan to regional markets and creating conditions for sustainable economic growth - not only for the country itself, but for the wider region.
Astana as a platform for dialogue
The effectiveness of the Contact Group of Special Representatives on Afghanistan was also highlighted during the talks. The next meeting of the group is scheduled to take place in Astana on February 16, underscoring Kazakhstan’s growing role as a platform for regional dialogue on security and development issues.
A shared commitment to cooperation
The meeting also addressed broader questions of regional security and stability. Both sides expressed their readiness to further develop Kazakh-Uzbek cooperation on the Afghan track.
The dialogue reflects a shared understanding that Afghanistan should not be viewed solely as a source of risks, but as an integral part of the region whose future depends on coordinated efforts by neighboring states. Through sustained cooperation and pragmatic engagement, Central Asia aims to lay the groundwork for lasting stability.
