An extraordinary meeting of the Regional Contact Group of Special Representatives of Central Asian countries on Afghanistan was held in Astana, reaffirming regional commitment to dialogue, cooperation, and stability, DKNews.kz reports.
The talks took place on February 16, 2026, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
Regional dialogue on Afghanistan
The meeting brought together representatives of four Central Asian countries:
- Kazakhstan
- Kyrgyzstan
- Tajikistan
- Uzbekistan
The gathering served as a platform to exchange views on current developments in Afghanistan and to strengthen regional coordination.
Focus on practical cooperation
Special Representative of the President of Kazakhstan for Afghanistan Yerkin Tukumov emphasized Kazakhstan’s readiness for constructive engagement.
“Kazakhstan is interested in a constructive exchange of views and in identifying practical solutions to pressing issues of engagement with Kabul,” he said.
Participants discussed key areas of practical cooperation, including:
- development of trade and economic ties
- expansion of transit and transport corridors through Afghan territory
- strengthening regional security cooperation
Importance of coordinated regional efforts
The participants underscored that coordinated actions by Central Asian countries remain essential for ensuring long-term stability and sustainable development in Afghanistan.
They stressed that regional cooperation plays a crucial role in addressing both current challenges and future opportunities linked to Afghanistan’s economic and political situation.
Commitment to continued consultations
At the conclusion of the meeting, participants reaffirmed their readiness to:
- continue regular consultations within the Regional Contact Group
- maintain working-level contacts
- ensure ongoing coordination and dialogue
