Qush Tepa canal right of Afghans, says Baradar

KABUL (Pajhwok): The construction of Qush Tepa Canal -- the right of Afghan people -- should be no issue of concern for neighbouring countries, says the deputy prime minister.

Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar made the remarks at a meeting with an Uzbekistani delegation, headed by the foreign minister of that country.

Political, economic and commercial cooperation as well as regional connectivity were discussed at the meeting, a statement from the Presidential Palace said.

Baradar said both Afghanistan and Uzbekistan had shared interests in various fields. The ground had been paved to achieve the shared objectives, he added.

The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA) was pursuing an economic-centred policy focused on regional connectivity, he said, adding cooperation from Uzbekistan was central to achieving that goal.

Baradar emphasised on greater cooperation between Afghanistan and Uzbekistan in various fields, such as trade and transit ties, construction of railroads and power supply to Afghanistan.

He also called for removing hurdles to cooperation in the fields of transportation in customs and providing Afghan youth opportunities to study in Uzbekistan.

Pointing to the water management issue, Baradar said: “The people of this country have hoped for decades for implementation of the Qush Tepa project.

“But prolonged wars and instability, this nation failed to harness its legitimate share in Amu water as other nations do.”

Following IEA’s takeover, he said, work was initiated to make it possible for Afghans to get their right over Amu River water. Baradar believed this should not be a matter of concern for neighbouring countries.

Uzbekistan Foreign Minister Bakhtiyor Saidov said his country was ready to further strengthen economic and political relations with Afghanistan and accept IEA’s ambassador in the near future.

Afghanistan’s stance on the use of water from Amu River was important for Uzbekistan, which was ready to provide IEA technical assistance for the canal construction and establishment of a modern irrigation system, Saidov said.

He added Uzbekistan was also willing to invest in coal-based power generation, enhance trade ties with Afghanistan and implement the trans-Afghan railway and some other important projects.

The 30-member Uzbek delegation includes some cabinet members and representatives of the private sector. The team is to meet the IEA prime minister and his deputies today.

aw/mud