Uzbek Radio
March 3
he head of Afghanistan's interim government, Hamed Karzai, came to Uzbekistan on March 2.
On 3 March Karzai and his delegation, including Foreign Affairs Minister Dr Abdollah, met Uzbek Deputy Prime Minister Rustam Yunusov, Foreign Minister Abdulaziz Komilov and other officials at the government residence in Tashkent.
Rustam Yunusov said that "the history of friendship between the two peoples goes back thousands of years. The people of Uzbekistan are also satisfied with the peace and calm established in Afghanistan, as are the peoples of the whole world." Yunusov also outlined the measures taken by Uzbek President Islam Karimov to help establish stability in Afghanistan.
Hamed Karzai noted the strengthening of Uzbek-Afghan friendly relations and said it is difficult to separate the two nations. "Our customs, national clothes, appearances and opinions are similar, as well as our ways of life. Our cultural relations also have a long history. Afghanistan and Uzbekistan are countries which have suffered from terrorism and extremism. Your President Islam Karimov, an enthusiastic person, courageously put forward the idea of peace in the cause of establishing peace and stability in Afghanistan. We will not forget that Uzbekistan came out with an initiative to hold an international conference for the restoration of Afghanistan. It is also playing a leading role in holding the six plus two conferences on the establishment of peace in Afghanistan," he said.
Hamed Karzai also visited the Uzbek Board of Muslims and is planning to visit Tashkent city administration offices and see the sights of the capital city later on 3 March.
On Monday Chairman Karzai will visit the Supreme Assembly [parliament] of the Republic of Uzbekistan.
Then a ceremony for handing over humanitarian aid to Afghanistan will be held at the Uzbek government's Tashkent residence. Nexia, Damas, SamKochavto cars and special fuel-supplying vehicles will be presented to the suffering neighbouring people at the ceremony. The Uzbek Government has said it will deliver 18 cars, buses, transporters, trucks and ambulances to Afghanistan during Mr Karzai's visit.