Passports being issued to Afghan babies in Istanbul

KABUL (Pajhwok): The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) has announced the start of distribution of passports to newborn Afghan babies in Istanbul, Turkey.

Separately, the deputy foreign minister for political affairs urged cooperation from Uzbekistan in agriculture and electricity sectors.

Hafiz Zia Ahmad Takal, deputy spokesman for MoFA, wrote on his Twitter handle the distribution of passports started on Saturday as a result of efforts by the Afghan Consulate with cooperation from the Turkish government.

He explained the process of distributing new passports was currently confined to the babies born in Turkey.

He said the ministry was trying to provide legal consular services to Afghans living in different countries of the world.

Abdul Qahar Balkhi, spokesman for the ministry, tweeted that Uzbekistan Ambassador Khawaja Shadmanov met Deputy Foreign Minister for Political Affairs Sher Mohammad Abbas Stanikzai on Saturday.

Referring to good relations between two neighbouring countries, Stanikzai urged Uzbekistan to enhance cooperation with Afghanistan in agriculture and power sectors.

The ambassador discussed the development of bilateral political ties and economic cooperation, including a trilateral railway line.

kk/mud