Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) – On 4-7 September, ISMI organized a working visit of a research group of the German Berghof Foundation to Uzbekistan.

Within its framework, meetings were held with the Special Representative of the President of Uzbekistan for Afghanistan Ismatulla Irgashev, as well as specialists from the ministries of investment, industry and trade, energy, transport, and experts from the International Institute of Central Asia. An Uzbek-German scientific and practical seminar was held at the University of World Economy and Diplomacy.

In addition, a trip to the city of Termez was organized for German experts to familiarize themselves with the infrastructure and practical measures taken by Uzbekistan to promote the socio-economic reconstruction of Afghanistan and the involvement of this country in regional economic ties.

In particular, German specialists visited the international transport and logistics hub “Termez Cargo Center”, located in close proximity to the Afghan border.

The total area of the Center is 40.7 hectares; on its territory there are 4 covered warehouses with an area of 6 thousand square meters. meters each, one of which is equipped with 14 refrigeration chambers.

The peculiarity of this hub is that it occupies a unique geographical position - located at the junction between Afghanistan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan.

It carries out an important mediation mission, facilitating the delivery of international humanitarian aid not only to Afghanistan, but also to Afghan refugees in Iran and Pakistan.

For example, over two years, through this hub, the World Food Program, UNICEF and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Affairs delivered more than 1 thousand tons of humanitarian aid to Afghanistan, including food (flour, grain), medicines, tents, solar lamps and other essential goods .

In addition, German experts got acquainted with the activities of the Educational Center for Afghan citizens, created on the initiative of the President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev in 2018. This educational institution is the only institution in the world that provides training exclusively for Afghans in both higher and secondary specialized areas , vocational education. During its activities, a total of 535 Afghan citizens were trained, of which 220 were women.

It is important to note that at the Center, along with the training program for Afghan citizens, clubs in sewing and hairdressing, carpet weaving, modeling, handicrafts, sculpture and other popular professions are also organized. The institution actively supports international relations and cooperation with donor countries and foreign organizations, such as UNDP, EU, Germany, Slovakia, India.

At the same time, a project for the construction of an international trade center with an area of 26 hectares was presented to German specialists. In total, 4 thousand retail outlets will be available in it; today, the complex has 80% completed work on the construction of a production and logistics zone, a medical center, a restaurant, and a hotel.

The Foundation’s experts also got acquainted with the work of the Termez – Hairatan checkpoint, equipped with new and improved technologies for customs and border control.

The created conditions at the checkpoint help to increase the capacity of border and law enforcement services to identify illegal facts, as well as the capacity and quality of service for persons crossing the border.

Highly appreciating the actions taken by Uzbekistan to develop infrastructure on the Uzbek-Afghan border, the head of the German delegation, Basir Feda, noted that Tashkent demonstrates sincere intention to establish a strong and long-term peace on Afghan soil, socio-economic restoration, and the involvement of Afghanistan in regional economic ties.

As part of the visit of German experts on 5 September, the Ministry of Investment, Industry and Trade also organized a presentation of the construction of the Termez-Mazar-i-Sharif-Kabul-Peshawar railway and the Surkhan-Puli-Khumri power line.

German experts emphasized that the implementation of these projects will help transform Afghanistan into a connecting bridge between Central and South Asia and strengthen interregional interconnectedness.

In addition, a meeting was held with the Special Representative of the President of Uzbekistan for Afghanistan I. Irgashev. A thorough exchange of views took place regarding the current situation in Afghanistan, issues of providing humanitarian assistance to the Afghan people, and consolidating the efforts of the world community in restoring the economy of this country.

During the stay of European representatives in Tashkent, at the site of the University of World Economy and Diplomacy, ISMI, together with the Berghof Foundation, organized a scientific and practical seminar wa with the participation of experts from leading analytical centers of Uzbekistan, such as the Higher School of Strategic Analysis and Forecasting, the Tashkent State University of Oriental Studies, the Institute advanced international research.

Speaking at the event, First Deputy Director of ISMI Akramjon Nematov noted that establishing lasting peace and ensuring stability in Afghanistan are an integral part of Uzbekistan’s foreign policy strategy.

According to him, without peace in this country, it is difficult to achieve stable and sustainable interregional development and regional connectivity. In this regard, according to A. Nematov, today it is more important than ever to unite the efforts of the entire world community in strengthening peace and stability in Afghanistan, maintaining its economic development and prosperity.

Representatives of the Berghof Foundation also held a meeting with experts from the International Institute of Central Asia. During the negotiations, the German side emphasized that since 2016 Uzbekistan is taking concrete and significant steps to strengthen cooperation in Central Asia and consolidate the region. Thanks to this, today the Central Asian countries resolve all regional issues through dialogue and speak on the world stage with a single voice.

In general, Uzbek and German experts agreed that today it is impossible to reduce attention to Afghanistan, it is necessary to unite the efforts of the international community in normalizing the situation in this country.

Experts from the Berghof Foundation especially noted that Tashkent and Berlin are connected by a common vision and similar approaches to establishing lasting peace in Afghanistan.

The Berghof Foundation is one of the most authoritative foundations in Germany, created in 1971. Headquartered in Berlin, it has offices in Asia, Africa, Latin America, the Middle East and the Caucasus. Since 2013 is engaged in research on the Afghan issue, closely interacting with the German Foreign Ministry and the EU Commission. The CEO is Andrew Gilmour, who in 2016-2019. served as Assistant Secretary General of the UN.