Afghanistan key link between South and Central Asia

New York, July 20, 2007 (Pajhwok Afghan News): The re-emergence of Afghanistan in the post-Taliban era provides the country a unique opportunity to become a bridge between South and Central Asia and benefit economically through its unique partnership.

This was the gist of a discussion on South and Central Asia hosted by the Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Richard Boucher in the US capital.

"The re-opening of Afghanistan has created promising new possibilities and opportunities for these nations to develop infrastructure and economic links to the south, especially in the areas of trade, transportation, energy and communications," the State Department said after conclusion of the meeting.

The day-long meeting was attended by top officials from the Central Asian nations Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmen and Uzbekistan.

Senior officials from Afghanistan, Pakistan and India also attended the meeting, which was convened at the initiative of Boucher to find ways in which the US can support Central Asian nations' development.

Officials said the State Department would like to see Afghanistan develop more or less as a crucial link between South and Central Asia, which would boost the economy of this war-ravaged country.