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Austrian interior minister heads to Uzbekistan to finalize Afghan deportation deal
Austria is expected to finalize a new migration agreement with Uzbekistan this week, with Interior Minister Gerhard Karner due to travel to Tashkent on May 7 to seal the deal that would see Afghan nationals deported via the Central Asian country.
According to Austrian media reports, Karner will be joined by Foreign Minister Beate Meinl-Reisinger for the visit, which is aimed at strengthening bilateral cooperation on migration and formalizing Uzbekistan as a key transit route for deportations.
The agreement would allow Afghan deportees to be transferred through Uzbekistan en route to Kabul, creating what officials describe as a “second route” alongside existing deportation pathways, which have largely been conducted via Istanbul.
Karner has said the deal would help establish “the conditions for the consistent implementation of deportations as part of a firm and fair asylum policy.” It is also expected to include provisions on the readmission of nationals, third-country citizens, and stateless individuals who entered the European Union through Uzbekistan.
The development follows reports last week that Austria planned to sign such an agreement as part of a broader European push to tighten migration controls and expand deportation mechanisms. Several European Union member states — including Denmark, Greece, Germany and the Netherlands — are exploring similar arrangements, including the use of so-called “return hubs” outside the bloc.
Austria has already deported several Afghan nationals since last year, signalling a shift in policy following the Islamic Emirate’s return to power in 2021. Officials say the proposed Uzbekistan route would play a key role in facilitating returns, particularly to Afghanistan.
Interior Ministry spokesman Markus Haindl previously described the deal as an important step in creating a viable transit pathway for deportations “especially Afghanistan,” underscoring Vienna’s efforts to accelerate removals of migrants without legal status.
In return, the agreement is expected to include measures to support legal migration from Uzbekistan to Austria, particularly focusing on the safe and regulated movement of skilled workers.
Uzbekistan, which remains heavily reliant on remittances from citizens working abroad, has in recent years sought to diversify migration destinations beyond traditional routes, particularly Russia.
The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA) has congratulated the people of the country on the 107th anniversary of Afghanistan’s independence, saying in a statement that the country’s independence was achieved through the struggles and sacrifices of Afghans against British influence.
The statement says that 107 years ago, Afghans, through a “jihadist struggle,” forced Britain to recognize Afghanistan’s independence and return control over the country’s foreign policy to Afghans. Afghanistan gained its independence from Britain in 1919 during the reign of King Amanullah Khan.
The Islamic Emirate also said that Afghans later fought against the Soviet Union and the United States and achieved victories.
The statement stressed that defeating three major powers over the course of a century was the result of divine support and the “faith, determination and courage” of the Afghan people.
The Islamic Emirate called on Afghanistan’s younger and future generations to follow in the footsteps of their predecessors and stand firmly against any form of aggression and occupation.
The statement also said that this year’s Independence Day, observed on August 19, comes just four days after the fifth anniversary of the Islamic Emirate’s return to power was marked.
The Embassy of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan in Malaysia on Tuesday held a ceremony to commemorate the fifth anniversary of the Islamic Emirate’s return to power. The event was attended by Malaysian government officials and diplomats, religious scholars, members of royal families, representatives of international and Islamic organizations, Afghan traders and Afghans living in Malaysia.
Naqibullah Ahmadi, the acting head of the embassy, described the anniversary as the result of the courage and sacrifices of the Afghan people and highlighted progress over the past five years in security, stability, economic growth, infrastructure and public services.
He emphasized balanced engagement with the international community and called for expanded cooperation between Afghanistan and Malaysia in trade, transit, agriculture, mining and investment.
Meanwhile, Dato’ Ahmad Azam Abdul Rahman, Special Adviser to Malaysia’s Foreign Minister, congratulated Afghanistan on the fifth anniversary of the victory and emphasized the continuation of relations between the two countries.
He expressed Malaysia’s readiness to share its experience in Islamic banking, halal certification, public health, agriculture, mining and good governance.
The ceremony also featured a video presentation highlighting developments in Afghanistan over the past five years. The event concluded with prayers for lasting peace, prosperity and national unity in Afghanistan.
Panjshir’s media office says that Mirdif Al-Qashouti, Qatar’s ambassador to Afghanistan, has visited Panjshir for the first time, following efforts by the provincial administration to attract investment and development projects.
Mohammad Agha Hakim, the governor of Panjshir, described relations between Afghanistan and Qatar as important during his meeting with the Qatari ambassador and called for increased investment by Islamic countries and Arab businessmen in the province.
Highlighting Panjshir’s potential in horticulture, agriculture and mining, he said apples, cherries, grapes and walnuts are among the province’s key products and that investment opportunities are available in these sectors. According to him, mining operations are currently underway at around 600 mines, while around 2,000 additional mines have been identified.
The Qatari ambassador described Afghanistan as a brotherly country and a longstanding friend of Qatar and reaffirmed his country’s support for Afghanistan. He said Qatar is committed to implementing various projects in Panjshir and plans to invest in establishing companies to process the province’s fresh and dried fruits.
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