Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- On 23 December 2021, in the Afghan city of Mazar-i-Sharif, a solemn ceremony of transferring a humanitarian cargo of the Republic of Uzbekistan to the brotherly people of Afghanistan was held. This was reported by the press service of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan.

This humanitarian aid, consisting of flour, rice, sugar, food, basic necessities, clothing, textile products and coal with a total weight of more than 4 thousand tons, has become another goodwill gesture of the Uzbek people to Afghanistan.

Speaking at the ceremony, Deputy Foreign Minister of the Provisional Government of Afghanistan Sher Abbas Stanakzai on behalf of the entire Afghan people expressed deep gratitude to President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev for the constant attention, support, and solidarity in these difficult times for the country.

It was especially noted that one of the first to respond to the call to help the people of Afghanistan was the Head of Uzbekistan, whose policy is viewed by the multinational people of the country as a true manifestation of humanism, brotherhood and good neighborliness.

Abbas Stanakzai stressed that the Afghan people have always felt the brotherly attitude of the Head of Uzbekistan, therefore, the new authorities of the country will do everything possible to further strengthen good-neighborly relations, and also will never allow any threats from their territory to neighboring countries, including Uzbekistan.

Governor of Balkh province Kudratilla Abu Hamza noted the timeliness of this humanitarian assistance, its special significance for the Afghan people in the winter. This, he said, is yet another proof of the deep historical and spiritual ties between the two fraternal and peoples.

Representatives of the Afghan public, including well-known figures of ethnic Uzbeks, who spoke at the ceremony, again expressed their sincere gratitude to the Head of Uzbekistan for unprecedented assistance, who, even in the most difficult times for them, never forgot about their needs and aspirations, and always remained a true friend of the Afghan people. 

According to them, this assistance will in fact help prevent mass hunger in the country, the most severe humanitarian and food crisis.

During the event, chefs from Uzbekistan prepared a charity Uzbek pilaf, which was served to all those present, as well as a large number of representatives of the Afghan public.