KABUL - The Afghan ministry of interior said on Monday that it had had held a joint symposium with the Institute of Public Policy and Administration (IPPA) here in Kabul, discussing trade and cooperation between central Asia and Afghanistan,.

"UCA is delighted to work with the Afghan ministry of foreign affairs Institute of Diplomacy and Directorate General for Economic Cooperation the issue of expansion of trade between Afghanistan and Central Asia is important for regional stability", said Dr. Krawchenko.

Meanwhile, Mr. WahidullahWaissi, Director General for Economic Cooperation, Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasized the significance of this collaboration, as saying Central Asian countries and Afghanistan is at heart, one of the most immensely rich and diverse regions in the world.

"Our enhanced regional cooperation provides an opportunity to connect land locked energy rich Central Asia with warm water ports n Gulf countries and energy deficient South Asia and it is timely to build on and enhance our synergies", he said.

The Symposium follows IPA's recent 10-day training held in Issy-Kul, Kyrgyzstan, on trade policy and negotiations for 60 civil servants from Afghanistan, Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic and Tajikistan.

The training seminar and symposium were organized within the framework of a regional cooperation and confidence building (RCCB) project designed to strengthen the knowledge of public servants on current development and dynamics of regional trade and economic cooperation between central Asia and Afghanistan.

The symposium was attended by Mr. WahidullahWaissi, Director General for Economic Cooperation, Ministry of Foreign Affairs: Ms. Shelley Whiting, Deputy Head of Mission, the Embassy of Canada in Afghanistan, Mr. AlyMawji, Diplomatic Representative Aga Khan Development Network and Dr. BohddanKrawchenko, Director General, UCA. (Agencies)