On October 25, an Uzbekistan delegation from among the representatives of the Ministry of Transport, the Uzaviation Agency, the State Unitary Enterprise “Uzaeronavigatsia” Centre, Uzbekistan Airports JSC, Centre of Hydrometeorological Service arrived in Afghanistan to attend a ceremony dedicated to the completion of the process of providing technical assistance to restore Mazar-i-Sharif International Airport named after Maulana Jalaluddin Balkhi.
It is known that Uzbekistan makes a huge contribution to the restoration of the economy and the formation of the transport and energy infrastructure of neighboring Afghanistan. Both countries are promoting several initiatives aimed at further developing mutual trade and economic relations and implementing promising projects.
Another notable example of such initiatives is the technical assistance provided for the reopening of the Mazar-i-Sharif International Airport. As is known, on behalf of the President of Uzbekistan, last year the technical condition of this airport was studied by an interdepartmental commission consisting of representatives of the Ministry of Transport, the Uzaviation Agency, the State Unitary Enterprise “Uzaeronavigatsia” Centre, Uzbekistan Airports JSC, the Centre of Hydrometeorological Service of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the necessary practical measures have been taken.
At the conference, held in Mazar-i-Sharif, Afghanistan’s Balkh province, it was noted that the project to provide technical support for servicing the airport’s activities was implemented in stages, and in a short time, the airport began to serve four domestic and one international flight per week.
During the solemn event, held at a high organizational level, the UzA team also got acquainted with the potential and conditions created at the airport, as well as the quality of passenger service. It should be noted that over the past period, large-scale activity was carried out by relevant ministries and agencies of the country. In particular, the provision of air traffic services and radio technical flight support has been achieved.
In terms of maintenance, the runway, aircraft turn lanes, and parking markings have been completely updated. In addition, the National Electric Grid of Uzbekistan JSC brought the electrical and lighting supply of the territory to the level of modern requirements.
Representatives of the Afghan side noted that this initiative, based on strengthening fraternal ties, is perceived as a logical continuation of Uzbekistan’s efforts to strengthen friendly and mutually beneficial relations with neighboring countries.
“First of all, I would like to express my gratitude to the hospitable President of Uzbekistan, who constantly supports the long-suffering Afghan people”, the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Interim Government of Afghanistan, Sher Mohammad Abbas Stanikzai said. – I highly appreciate the efforts of your Head of state to stabilize the situation in Afghanistan, ensure security, and promote peace talks. At the initiative of Shavkat Mirziyoyev, the activity of the completely disabled Mazar-i-Sharif International Airport was revived. The runways have been overhauled. A remote control system was put into operation. The external power supply of the airport has been radically improved.
A document was signed at the event on the commissioning of the completed airport facilities and the acceptance of the necessary equipment for the restoration of activities. It was noted with satisfaction that trade and economic relations between the countries of the region are developing at an active pace. Over the past nine months, the volume of mutual exchange of goods and services between our countries amounted to 3.1 million tons. In addition, the trans-Afghan corridor made it possible to transport goods from the countries of North and Southeast Asia to the south.
It is reasonable that the Termez – Mazar-i-Sharif – Kabul – Peshawar railway project will strengthen the partnership. According to experts, this project is of strategic importance for the reconstruction of Afghanistan and the development of the entire region as a whole.
“Our countries have always been united by the similarity of language, a common sacred religion, and spiritual values”, the Minister of Transport of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Ilkhom Mahkamov said. – The jointly implemented measures to restore the activities of the Mazar-i-Sharif Airport will become an important step towards promoting the economic development of Afghanistan, ensuring the safety of flights from this land and further improving the efficiency of the airport.
The visit of the Uzbekistan delegation to the blessed city of Mazar-i-Sharif continued with participation in the opening ceremony of the airport’s power supply control center. After the ministers of transport of the two countries cut the traditional symbolic red ribbon, the participants were informed about the available technologies.
Over the past year, experienced specialists working at airports in Uzbekistan have been attracted to this airport in Afghanistan. With their help, defects and shortcomings on the airport runways, turn lanes and aircraft hangars were eliminated.
Lighting and signaling devices on the runways were also repaired. As a result, the airport is now ready to receive flights even at night and in adverse weather conditions. Another important point is that practical assistance was provided for the full preparation for the autumn-winter season. Uzbekistan provided such support to the fraternal Afghan people by supplying technical equipment to the Mazar-i-Sharif Airport.
In a word, relations between Uzbekistan and Afghanistan, which have a long history, are being intensified in the political partnership and the economy, based on a common culture, customs, and traditions. Now domestic and foreign flights from the Mazar-i-Sharif Airport have revived again. This, in turn, will make a significant contribution to the economic and social development of the region.
Bekhruz Khudoyberdiev, photos by Nosirjon Khaydarov, UzA
