DELEGATION OF THE MINISTRY OF MINES AND PETROLEUM MEETS WITH UZBEKISTAN'S MINISTER OF MINES AND INDUSTRY

A technical delegation of the Ministry of Mines and Petroleum (MoMP), led by Mr. Ahmad Jan, Senior Advisor to the Ministry’s Leadership on Petroleum Affairs, and in the presence of the Ambassador of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan to Tashkent, met with the Minister of Mines and Industry of Uzbekistan to discuss the contract for the Toti Maidan Gas Block and address the technical and financial challenges that have emerged.

During the meeting, the MoMP delegation discussed the status of the Toti Maidan Gas Block, the challenges hindering the implementation of the contract, and the need for joint efforts by both sides to address the existing challenges.

The MoMP delegation stated that, during the visit of the Uzbek delegation to Afghanistan to address the challenges related to the Toti Maidan Gas Block, a 120-day period was set to resolve the issues facing the project. During this period, the existing challenges are to be jointly assessed, and necessary practical measures are to be taken to address them.

The Ministry’s delegation assured the Uzbek side that all matters related to the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan would be addressed and that the necessary cooperation and facilitation would be provided to resolve the challenges and advance the project.

Similarly, the Uzbek side assured that it would take all necessary measures to address the financial and technical challenges facing the Toti Maidan Gas Block. The Minister of Mines and Industry of Uzbekistan emphasized that, although the contract for the Toti Maidan Gas Block was signed by a private company and the Ministry of Mines and Petroleum of Afghanistan, Uzbekistan considers itself responsible for the project at the governmental level and is ready to work jointly with Afghanistan in the areas of project oversight, financing, and resolving the existing challenges.

The Uzbek side further stated that, in order to expand economic cooperation between Afghanistan and Uzbekistan, the two sides should work jointly on other major economic projects in addition to the Toti Maidan Gas Block, so that both countries can gain mutual benefits from such cooperation.

The meeting also underscored the importance of the shared historical, cultural, and social ties between the two countries. It was noted that economic and broader cooperation would continue to strengthen the bonds of brotherhood, shared culture, and mutual relations between Afghanistan and Uzbekistan.

The MoMP delegation also assured the Uzbek side of Afghanistan’s full commitment to providing all necessary cooperation and coordination and stated that Afghanistan supports the expansion of economic and bilateral cooperation between the two countries based on mutual interests.