Kazakh Foreign Minister Visits Afghanistan to Strengthen Economic Ties
Kazakhstan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Murat Nurtleu has paid a working visit to Afghanistan at the invitation of the Afghan authorities, holding high-level meetings aimed at enhancing bilateral cooperation.
During his visit, Nurtleu met with Afghanistan’s acting Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs, Abdul Ghani Baradar, to discuss strengthening trade, transit, agriculture, digitalization, and geological exploration. Nurtleu emphasized that Kazakhstan views Afghanistan as an integral part of Central Asia, both historically and geographically.
A key outcome of the visit was the signing of a memorandum between the Kazakh Ministry of Transport and Afghanistan’s Ministry of Public Works to develop a railway connecting Central and South Asia.
In a separate meeting with acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi, the two sides explored ways to boost trade. Nurtleu noted Kazakhstan’s goal of increasing bilateral trade to $3 billion, offering more exports such as agricultural goods, fuel, fertilizers, and chemical products.
The talks also addressed expanding Afghan exports to Kazakhstan, including dried fruits and beverages, via the Turgundi border point and through Turkmenistan. This route could help Afghan farmers access a larger market and supply fresh produce during Kazakhstan’s off-season.
Kazakhstan reaffirmed its interest in investing in the Turghundi–Herat railway line and in enhancing humanitarian cooperation, including food security, healthcare access, and cultural ties. It also pledged to double the number of scholarships for Afghan students.
Muttaqi thanked Kazakhstan for its humanitarian aid and diplomatic support in international forums and expressed backing for the planned UN regional hub on sustainable development in Almaty.
