Kyrgyzstan’s Foreign Minister Zheenbek Kulubaev held a telephone conversation with Afghanistan’s Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi on September 14, focusing on strengthening practical cooperation between the two countries, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kyrgyz Republic.

The two foreign ministers discussed current issues of bilateral cooperation, with particular emphasis on expanding trade, economic and investment ties, the ministry said.

“Particular attention was paid to enhancing further trade, economic and investment cooperation,” the Kyrgyz Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

During the call, the Afghan side also congratulated Kyrgyzstan on the successful organization of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit and the 6th World Nomad Games.

Afghanistan further congratulated Kyrgyzstan on its election as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, according to the statement.

The conversation comes as Kabul and Bishkek seek to expand economic and diplomatic engagement, with trade and investment emerging as key areas of potential cooperation.

During the meeting, Minister Haqqani described Ambassador Zhao Xing’s tenure in Afghanistan as effective and praised his positive contribution to strengthening relations between Afghanistan and China.

Ambassador Zhao Xing, in turn, expressed his appreciation to the leadership of the Ministry of Interior Affairs for their cooperation and support throughout his tenure in Afghanistan.

The Chinese ambassador underscored the importance of the historic relations between Afghanistan and China and expressed hope that bilateral relations and cooperation between the two countries would continue to expand in the future.