President of Afghanistan Ashraf Ghani will pay an official visit to Uzbekistan, Uzbek Foreign Minister Abdulaziz Kamilov said at a meeting of the International Press Club on Friday.
"We are now working on the upcoming visit, however the dates have not been set yet, but I think that we will not delay on this matter," the foreign minister said.
"Despite the ongoing conflict in Afghanistan, we are developing bilateral trade, economic, humanitarian ties. Afghanistan is our neighbor, we have a common border, several millions of Uzbeks are currently living in Afghanistan, we have had historical, cultural, humanitarian ties from ancient times, and objectively we must develop close, friendly relations with Afghanistan," he said.
The bilateral economic cooperation is scheduled to be discussed during the visit, in particular, Uzbekistan’s possible participation in some projects, including with respect to road and transport links. In addition, the sides will discuss the settlement of the situation in Afghanistan.
"We see Afghanistan’s integration into the regional and global economic relations as an important prerequisite for bringing peace and stability in Afghanistan. Afghanistan should not remain isolated. Afghanistan should no longer seen as a problem, but as an integral part of the process of peace, stability and prosperity in our region," the Uzbek Foreign Minister underscored.
