EU-Central Asia Gathering: Despite Economic Progress, Afghanistan's Predicament Stays Grim
AFGHANISTAN'S PLIGHT AND EU-CENTRAL ASIA'S TRADE COOPERATION STRATEGY
ASTANA — Despite the economic growth, the state of Afghanistan remains grim with a staggering 25% of its population on the brink of starvation. This unsettling fact was discussed at the latest sixth European Union (EU)-Central Asia meeting on Afghanistan, held in Dushanbe on Feb. 5.
The meeting was significant, as the participating countries agreed on the necessity of strengthened trade ties with Afghanistan. Kazakh Foreign Ministry's press service reveals Ambassador-at-Large Talgat Kaliyev, highlighted the country's ambitious endeavors to expand trade and economic connections with Kabul, capturing the attendees' attention.
Uzbekistan's Leading Role
Uncovered sources suggest that Uzbekistan is making substantial strides in acting as a mediator between Afghanistan and the international community, aiming to establish Afghanistan as a strategic trade connectivity hub, permitting access to South Asian markets and ports. Uzbekistan has been successful in securing agreements with Afghanistan to increase bilateral trade to $3 billion, improve electricity cooperation, and create a joint market and free economic zone[6].
Furthermore, the Termez Dialogue held in Uzbekistan emphasizes regional economic integration and infrastructure development, specifically the Trans-Afghan Corridor. This initiative is designed to amplify trade turnover, foster connectivity between Central and South Asia[7][8].
European Union's Role
The European Union has shown interest in devising transport infrastructure within Central Asia, potentially covering routes through Afghanistan. The EU's focus on bolstering regional connectivity can potentially support projects like the railway from Uzbekistan to South Asia via Kabul[9].
Taking these developments into account, trade cooperation with Afghanistan appears to revolve around enhancing regional connectivity, infrastructure development, and economic integration, with Uzbekistan being instrumental in facilitating these efforts. However, more specific details from the sixth EU-Central Asia meeting on Afghanistan are unavailable in the provided information.
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In the context of Afghanistan's challenging situation and the EU-Central Asia's trade cooperation strategy, the European Union is considering devising transport infrastructure within Central Asia, which could potentially include routes through Afghanistan, aiming to foster regional connectivity and support projects like the railway from Uzbekistan to South Asia via Kabul. Meanwhile, Uzbekistan is taking a leading role in facilitating trade with Afghanistan, focusing on expanding trade and economic connections with Kabul and acting as a mediator to establish Afghanistan as a strategic trade connectivity hub with access to South Asian markets and ports.
