Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah is leading a high level delegation on an official two-day visit to Tajikistan where he will hold talks with Tajik stakeholders on a number of issues and attend the international "Water for Life" conference.
Among the topics expected to be discussed are common issues facing the two nations including the Afghanistan-Pakistan Trade and Transit Agreement (APTTA). On Monday, on the sidelines of his meeting with Tajik officials, Abdullah highlighted the significance of India being included in the APTTA, and expressed frustration over Pakistan's hesitation about India's inclusion in the accord.
Abdullah stated that Afghanistan was in favor of India joining the agreement.
Referring to the CASA 1000 electricity project, Abdullah reiterated that his country was in dire need of energy and that the delivery of power from Tajikistan to Afghanistan was crucial in government's move to meet the country's energy needs.
On the sidelines of talks, Tajik Prime Minister Kokhir Rasulzoda said on Monday that his country will not pursue a policy that could be harmful to its neighbors. He called on regional countries to cooperate with each other in the fight against terrorism and drug smuggling.
"Views are similar on common issues facing our nations particularly the issue of war on terrorism, drug trafficking, transnational crimes and the situation in Afghanistan," Rasulzoda said.
In response to this, Abdullah said: "In our meetings with Tajik officials, we have realized there are common aspirations and similar views between the two sides regarding expansion of broad based cooperation."
Afghanistan and Tajikistan have however signed at least 70 Memorandums of Understanding with Tajikistan over the past few years – especially as Afghanistan is considered a corridor between southern and central Asian nations.
The APTTA agreement however, involves Afghanistan, Pakistan and Tajikistan, but Afghanistan struggles to get access to regional markets and export its products to Indian markets via Pakistan's Wahgah border.
A press statement issued on Sunday stated that during his visit Abdullah is expected to meet with the Tajik president and the prime minister and hold talks regarding political relations, economic and cultural issues, the fight against terrorism and joint security threats.
In addition to holding talks with the Tajik leaders, Abdullah will also attend the Water For Life conference in the capital, Dushanbe on Tuesday.
In a press statement last month, the conference secretariat said that a total of 72 delegations of UN member states will attend the conference including prime ministers, deputy prime ministers, foreign ministers and other senior officials. Ban Ki-Moon, the UN Secretary-General, is also scheduled to attend the event.
Abdullah is accompanied by Afghan Foreign Minister Salahuddin Rabbani, Minister of Energy and Water Ali Ahmad Osmani, Minister of Economy Abdul Sattar Murad, senior special envoy to the CEO Mahmoud Saikal and the CEO's security advisor Mohammad Zahir Aghbar.
LINK: https://www.ansarpress.com/english/3784
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