Uzbekistan and Poland have held high-level talks to strengthen cooperation on Afghan-related matters, Trend news agency reported, citing the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan.

The meeting took place between the Special Representative of the President of Uzbekistan for Afghanistan, Ismatulla Irgashev, and the Special Representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Poland for Afghanistan, Witold Sobkow. Also participating was Marek Całka, Deputy Director of the Eastern Department of the Polish Foreign Ministry.

During the discussions, the parties addressed key issues of bilateral cooperation concerning Afghanistan and explored prospects for deepening Uzbek-Polish engagement aimed at promoting regional stability and security.

Both sides reaffirmed their mutual commitment to maintaining a regular, systemic, and constructive dialogue on the Afghan peace process and agreed to continue consultations on a consistent basis.

Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs of Afghanistan Amir Khan Muttaqi on Wednesday held a video conference with Rashid Meredov, Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan.

Zia Ahmad Takal, Head of Public Relations at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said in a statement that during the video conference, the two sides discussed political and economic relations between Afghanistan and Turkmenistan, the enhancement of diplomatic ties, and major joint projects, particularly the progress of the TAPI pipeline project within Afghan territory.

Muttaqi described the current bilateral relations between Afghanistan and Turkmenistan as “stronger” than ever before and assessed the conditions as favorable for expanding cooperation and advancing shared interests.

He reiterated the Afghan government’s commitment to implementing major joint economic projects.

Meredov also described the ongoing progress of the TAPI project as positive and announced plans to expand practical cooperation in the areas of railways, trade, and transit in the near future.

He further pledged that Turkmenistan would soon offer greater visa facilitation for Afghan traders.

Both parties agreed to continue consultations and meetings aimed at accelerating the TAPI project, developing the railway network, improving transport infrastructure, ensuring electricity supply, and enhancing economic cooperation.

Abdul Karim Hasib, the director of the General Directorate of Passports, says the department’s revenue from passport distribution has totalled nearly 13 billion AFN over the past year, and more than two million passports have been issued to the country’s citizens.

Speaking at a news conference on Wednesday in Kabul, Hasib stated that the passport distribution process has returned to normal, and every citizen can easily apply for a passport.

He added that they have the capacity to print 50,000 passports per day.

Hasib stated that currently, the passport distribution process is running smoothly in all provinces of the country.

According to him, the entire process of obtaining a passport will become electronic in the near future.

Meanwhile, some passport applicants have stated that while the necessary facilities for the passport application process have been established, there is still a need for the process to be further expedited.

The Passport Directorate added that compared to previous years, the number of passport applicants has decreased, and currently, 4,000 passports are distributed daily across the country and the process of applying for a passport now takes about one hour.