KABUL – Amid continued tensions with Pakistan, the Strategic Studies Center of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan will host a high-level meeting aimed at redefining regional dynamics on Tuesday here.
The gathering, officially opened by Foreign Minister Amir
Khan Muttaqi, will bring together heads, researchers, and policymakers from
strategic studies centers affiliated with the presidential institutions of
Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Azerbaijan.
Delegates have already arrived in Kabul.
A Shift Toward Regional Integration
This is framed as a think-tank/policy dialogue to build trust, support Afghanistan’s economy-oriented foreign policy, and advance regional integration amid growing engagement between the Taliban administration and Central Asian states.
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the summit was designed to strengthen regional cooperation and explore avenues for expanding trade, transit, and investment. Political analyst Omar Samad noted that the participation of Central Asian countries indicates a growing "confidence" in Afghanistan’s security environment compared to previous years. Samad highlighted that nations like Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan are increasingly viewing Afghanistan as a vital partner for economic and transit cooperation.
Hassan Mubarak Azizi, former Minister of Transport and Civil
Aviation, stated that these strategic centers are essential for identifying
"common interests and regional sensitivities," helping to lay the
groundwork for joint infrastructure and economic projects.
The meeting will be attended by heads, researchers, and
policy[1]makers
from strategic studies centers affiliated with the presidential institutions of
Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Azerbaijan.
Speaking about the meeting, Hassan Mubarak Azizi, former
Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation, said: “These institutions and centers
can identify common interests and regional sensitivities and help create the
groundwork for advancing mechanisms, procedures, and joint projects.” During
the meeting, research centers from the participating countries will directly
exchange views on shared challenges and opportunities, a step that is expected
to strengthen coordination among regional policies.
Both neighbouring countries Afghanistan and Pakistan, since
the closure of the mutual border for trade and travel for the last nine months
are exploring new ways and means to continue trade with important Central Asian
countries.
Astana Meet
Meanwhile, a day earlier according to Astana Times Envoys from the European Union, Central Asian countries, and the United Nations met on June 15 in Almaty to coordinate approaches on Afghanistan, focusing on regional stability, connectivity, and long-term socio-economic development.
The eighth meeting of the EU and Central Asian Special Representatives on Afghanistan brought together delegations from Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, the EU, and the UN.
Participants reviewed developments in Afghanistan and discussed their impact on regional security, emphasizing the need for coordinated international engagement. A key theme was the expansion of transport and transit routes through Afghanistan to enhance trade between Central and South Asia and strengthen ties with Europe.
The country also underlined its support for humanitarian and educational initiatives in Afghanistan, as well as efforts to advance regional economic ties.
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