The second phase of construction of Qosh Tepa irrigation canal in northern Afghanistan was inaugurated on Wednesday in the presence of senior officials of the Islamic Emirate.

At a ceremony officials of the Islamic Emirate said neighboring countries should not worry about the creation of the canal because their rights will be respected and Afghanistan will use only the share it is entitled to from Amu River.

“We will release the water that is standing now. We will inaugurate the bridge. We will also inaugurate the second phase, which is 65 kilometers long from here,” Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, economic deputy of the prime minister, said.

Acting Minister of Interior Affairs Sirajuddin Haqqani said: “We are pleased to come here for the start of the second phase of Qosh Tepa. Please accept that we are all united for rebuilding Afghanistan. If it is the government or the people, we are all united.”

Officials assured countries like Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan that the project will not harm them and their rights will be ensured.

Abdul Salam Hanafi, administrative deputy of the Prime Minister, said: “Others should not worry that we will push the entire Amu River to this side. Inshallah, we respect the rights of our neighbors and we want friendly, good and close relations with all neighbors.”

Mohammad Yaqub Mujahid, Acting Minister of Defense, said: “We will never violate the rights of the neighboring countries that they have from the Amu River, and we will not interfere in anyone’s rights. But at the same time, we want to get our rights and no one should create obstacles in this regard.”

Officials of the Islamic Emirate emphasized that the door for diplomatic talks is open to the countries that are concerned and that this is the first time in history that Afghanistan uses water from Amu River.

Sher Mohammad Abbas Stankzai, political deputy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said: “We again assure [everyone] that if our neighbors are concerned in this regard, we are ready to talk to them through diplomatic channels and exchange our delegations. Let’s sit together and resolve their concerns diplomatically.”

Qosh Tepa canal is of great economic importance for Afghanistan because it can turn Afghanistan into a food production hub in the region.

Attaullah Omari, Acting Minister of Agriculture and Livestock, said: “This will be a canal that will make us self-reliant in the food sector. We will have food independence. We will no longer need to import from neighbors. We will no longer have various diseases and plant and animal pests.”

Officials of the Islamic Emirate said at the ceremony that the government is determined to manage all the waters of the country.