Uzbek Minister Affirms Afghanistan’s Right to Amu River Water Access
Uzbekistan’s Minister Shavkat Khamraev confirmed Afghanistan’s right to Amu River water, facilitated by the Qosh Tepa Canal construction. The canal aims to secure Afghanistan’s agricultural self-sufficiency. Additionally, the UN criticized the ban on girls’ education in Afghanistan and Russia’s envoy noted challenges in combating terrorism. The Islamic Emirate has requested the U.S. for embassy handover, indicating a desire for international recognition.
Uzbekistan’s Minister of Water Resources, Shavkat Khamraev, affirmed that Afghanistan has a rightful claim to the Amu River’s water, facilitated by the ongoing construction of the Qosh Tepa Canal. He expressed Tashkent’s support for Afghanistan’s water access, emphasizing the relationship between the two nations. Khamraev remarked, “The Afghans are our relatives… Should we pick up weapons and fight? No, we are building better relations.”
The Amu River serves as a vital water source for northern Afghanistan and neighboring countries Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan, which have utilized its resources for years. Despite this, Afghanistan has not effectively accessed the river’s water until recent initiatives aimed at completing the Qosh Tepa Canal, spanning over 280 kilometers, to secure its share. This canal aims to irrigate vast agricultural lands across Balkh, Jowzjan, and Faryab provinces.
Experts indicate that successful completion of the Qosh Tepa Canal will enable Afghanistan to achieve wheat self-sufficiency, benefiting food security within the nation. The anticipated infrastructure investment is seen as a significant step toward revitalizing Afghanistan’s agricultural capacity.
In related news, the UN expressed disappointment over the continued prohibition on girls’ secondary education in Afghanistan, highlighting the severe implications for human rights and overall national recovery. Roza Otunbayeva, the Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Afghanistan, voiced concerns over the deepening crisis caused by the ban, stating its continuation threatens not only educational prospects for Afghan girls but the country’s future as a whole.
Furthermore, Russia’s Ambassador to Pakistan, Albert P. Khorev, remarked on Afghanistan’s insufficient efforts against terrorism, attributing these shortcomings to economic and security difficulties faced by the nation. He acknowledged ongoing cooperation with regional partners to combat militants while asserting Moscow’s support for counter-terrorism initiatives. Khorev also dismissed allegations claiming Pakistan’s arms supplies to Ukraine as unfounded.
In a move signaling a desire for international recognition, Zabihullah Mujahid, spokesperson for the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, announced the request to the United States for the handover of Afghanistan’s embassy in Washington D.C. The IEA is also seeking the reopening of the U.S. embassy in Kabul, aiming to strengthen bilateral relations further and enhance diplomatic efforts.
In summary, Afghanistan is reaffirmed in its rights to access the Amu River’s water, as articulated by Uzbekistan’s Minister of Water Resources. This vital initiative, highlighted by the Qosh Tepa Canal project, aims to address agricultural self-sufficiency. Concurrently, the ongoing ban on girls’ education and geopolitical challenges illustrated by Russia’s comments reflect the multifaceted issues facing Afghanistan at this juncture. These developments underscore the importance of international cooperation and recognition for Afghanistan’s path forward.
Original Source: www.ariananews.af
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