Kabul, Astana Emphasize Expansion of Bilateral Cooperation

Mullah Mohammad Hassan Akhund, Prime Minister of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, met with Serik Zhumangarin, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Economy of Kazakhstan, who arrived in Kabul at the head of a high-level delegation.

During the meeting, which was also attended by the foreign minister, the minister of industry and commerce, and several other Islamic Emirate officials, Hassan Akhund said that Afghanistan and Kazakhstan share strong political, economic, religious, and cultural ties.

For his part, Zhumangarin said the purpose of his visit was to further strengthen political and economic relations between the two countries.

He noted that Kazakhstan attaches special importance to Afghanistan and will continue its humanitarian assistance, particularly in support of returning migrants and people affected by natural disasters.

According to a statement cited by Hamdullah Fitrat, deputy spokesman for the Islamic Emirate, the Kazakh official announced that his country had also delivered eight railway wagons of humanitarian aid to Afghanistan, including tents, medicines, and other essential supplies.

The statement added that Kazakhstan is interested in increasing Afghan exports to its market and is prepared to expand cooperation with Afghanistan across all sectors.

On behalf of Kazakhstan’s president, Zhumangarin also invited Mullah Mohammad Hassan Akhund to pay an official visit to Kazakhstan.

The Prime Minister of the Islamic Emirate described relations between the two countries as important and emphasized that practical steps would be taken to further expand cooperation and strengthen bilateral ties.

At the conclusion of the meeting, Akhund extended an official invitation to the President of Kazakhstan to visit Afghanistan.