Murad Askarov also told the UN General Assembly on efforts of Uzbekistan to assist Afghanistan in rehabilitation of war-torn economy and social infrastructure of Afghanistan.

Uzbek envoy said 11 bridges, constructed by Uzbekistan at the Mazar-e-Sharif-Kabul, ensures uninterrupted communication between north and south of the country. Starting from 2002, the Uzbek authorities rehabilitated electricity supply to Afghanistan and in 2008 it realized a project on commissioning power supply line Hairatan-Puli Humri-Kabul, thanks to which Kabul fully supplied with electricity from Uzbekistan.

Transport infrastructure of Afghanistan and connecting the country to international transport-communication projects should be solved urgently, the Uzbek envoy states. He recalled that only railway in Afghanistan passes through Termez, an Uzbek city, and extends to Hairatan.

Asian Development Bank developed a project on construction of railway Hairatan-Mazar-e-Sharif. Currently, the Uzbek company started to realize this project. He added that the project will contribute to connecting Afghanistan transport infrastructure to Central Asian transport-communication system and to markets of Europe. The railway will help to boost mutual trade and expend investment relations in the region, envoy said.

Murad Askarov states that peaceful settlement in Afghanistan is impossible without attraction of Afghans to the process. He said it is impossible to change situation in Afghanistan without seriously well thought and organized negotiations process and achievement of consensus between confronting groups and strengthening vertical power.

Ambassador said creation of Contact Group 6 plus 3 under aegis of the UN, which would include neighbouring states with Afghanistan, Russia, USA and NATO, could solve the Afghan problem fast. The realization of the initiative could ensure to achieve consent in the country and around Afghanistan.

Uzbekistan Permanent Representative said Uzbekistan chairs in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) this year and drew attention of the session to the initiatives within the SCO on Afghan problem.