Afghanistan’s caretaker government has granted Uzbek companies a license to conduct geological exploration, and oil and gas production on its territory, the Uzbek Energy Minister Jurabek Mirzamakhmudov told the Uzbekistan 24.
He added that on September 14, the parties commenced work to develop the Tuti-Maidan gas field, when the Uzbek company Eriell KAM signed a 25-year contract for the project.
"This will be the first phase. Depending on its outcomes, we will be expanding the work and collaborate on new areas. The project is being implemented as an initiative that will benefit the economies of both Uzbekistan and Afghanistan," the Minister of Energy noted.
The minister also underscored that Afghanistan’s stability and infrastructure development will open access to the oceans for Uzbekistan:
"And, of course, the last but not the least: if there is peace there in the future, if the economy and infrastructure develop, then this territory of Afghanistan will become the shortest route to the oceans for us, serving as a transit point. This will enable us to further exploit the potential for further economic growth and logistics," he explained.
According to him, peace and stability in Afghanistan are important not only for Uzbekistan, but also for all neighboring countries, and the countries in the region.
"I believe this is a long-term political and strategic objective. And our president is truly seeing and feeling this. As he always says, implementing this step by step, firmly and consistently, yields results for today, tomorrow, and the long term," he said.
The minister added that the Afghan people's sincere attitude toward Uzbekistan is evident during every dialogue.
"The Afghan people's attitude toward Uzbekistan and the Uzbek people is evident in their eyes. And in every negotiation, they express that they truly feel the affection that our president shows for the people of Afghanistan," Mirzamakhmudov underscored.
He cited a quote from his last meeting with Abdul Ghani Baradar Akhund, the acting deputy prime minister of Afghanistan in charge of economic affairs.
"When I last went there, Mr. Mullah Baradar, the current deputy prime minister, said one thing during the meeting: 'I was able to meet with the president in Azerbaijan. In that meeting, in the president's eyes, in his words, and in his current actions, I see love for Afghanistan and the Afghan people,'" the minister underscored.
$250 million worth of joint energy projects with Uzbekistan have also commenced in Afghanistan in early September. These include the new power lines and substation projects, including the 500 kV Surkhan-Pul-i-Khumri line and facilities in Nangarhar and Kabul. The projects are scheduled to be completed before April 1, 2027.
