Oriented on making people closer

REGION | ORIENT. On Sunday, April 5, the historic "Afghanistan-Central Asia Consultative Dialogue" took place in the Afghan capital – the first forum of this format since 2021, initiated by Kabul. The meeting, attended by diplomats from Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan, marked the region's transition to a model of "economic centrism."

Turkmen Ambassador Hoja Ovezov confirmed that the level of security in Afghanistan has allowed the implementation of megaprojects to reach the final stretch. The Turkmen side plans to complete construction of the TAPI gas pipeline section in Afghanistan to the city of Herat by the end of 2026. This transforms the province into the first major industrial hub directly powered by Turkmen fields and paves the way for energy growth throughout the country.

Foreign Minister of Afghanistan Amir Khan Muttaqi outlined the contours of a new regional policy: Kabul aims to increase trade turnover with its Central Asian neighbors to $10 billion by eliminating bureaucratic barriers and developing transit corridors to South Asia.

Muttaqi emphasized that Afghanistan is ready to serve as a "safe bridge," effectively combating drug trafficking and crime in exchange for investment in infrastructure.

The diplomat noted that Central Asian countries occupy a "special place" in the country's foreign policy, based on the principles of balance and mutual respect.

Experts view this dialogue as a "diplomatic legitimization" of economic ties, with Turkmenistan, with its energy initiatives, acting as the main guarantor of regional stability.

The official address by Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi at the Consultative Dialogue marked a shift from declarations to concrete economic planning. Based on the ministry's published statements, key areas can be identified that will form the foundation of cooperation with Central Asian countries in the coming years.

Despite challenging external conditions, Afghanistan is demonstrating stable macroeconomic dynamics. According to the World Bank, the country's economic growth in 2025 will be 4.3%.

Trade turnover with Central Asian countries reached $2.7 billion in 2025, a several-fold increase. Kabul has set an ambitious goal of increasing this figure to $10 billion within three to four years, emphasizing the need to balance the trade balance.

The TAPI gas pipeline project remains an absolute priority. According to official data from the Afghan Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the first 25 kilometers of the pipeline on the Herat-Turkmenistan border route have been completed. The next 120 kilometers are fully prepared for construction.

In parallel with the gas project, Afghanistan confirms its readiness to expedite the implementation of the TAP and CASA-1000 power lines, as well as the development of the Lazurit transport corridor and other projects.

The Afghan side proposed moving to joint technical management of the 2,329-kilometer-long shared water and land border. Cooperation has been proposed to strengthen the banks and modernize border markers on the Amu Darya.

Kabul calls on Central Asian countries to develop a unified approach to combating ISIS, synthetic drug trafficking, and cross-border crime, stating that domestic security agencies have already taken all necessary preventive measures.

For the first time, the need for joint action against climate change was voiced at this level. Afghanistan expressed interest in participating in the Green Central Asia initiative, emphasizing that environmental challenges know no borders and require a coordinated regional response.

As practical steps, Afghanistan proposed making the Consultative Dialogue with Central Asia a regular political mechanism and developing a scientific roadmap for cooperation involving a pool of regional experts.

Muttaqi called for support for Afghanistan's aspirations to obtain observer status in the SCO, which would allow the country to fully participate in the organization's transport and environmental programs.

Photo: mfa.gov.af