National Leader of the Turkmen people Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov and Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan held talks with Afghanistan’s Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs Abdul Ghani Baradar during a working visit to Afghanistan. The sides discussed the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) gas pipeline, as well as the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan (TAP) power transmission line and an optical fiber communications line. Turkmen state media reported on Monday.
The sides noted that the TAPI gas pipeline and its key section, the Serhetabat-Herat segment, remain among the important projects of friendly and mutually beneficial cooperation between Turkmenistan and Afghanistan. The Afghan side described Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov’s visit to Afghanistan to review the progress of pipeline construction and discuss current issues as historically significant.
Baradar said the construction of TAPI, the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan power transmission line and the optical fiber communications line is important not only economically but also for strengthening bilateral cooperation.
According to Baradar, implementing the projects would improve energy supplies for the Afghan population, create new jobs and provide favorable conditions for Afghan investors to generate electricity from natural gas. He also stressed the need for a joint mechanism to establish regular coordination between relevant agencies of the two countries to further advance work on TAPI.
The sides noted that natural gas and electricity supplies from Turkmenistan to Afghanistan could create opportunities to accelerate the development of major industrial zones in Herat province. They said this would help create jobs and improve living conditions in Afghanistan.
The sides also emphasized the importance of cooperation in transport infrastructure and the energy sector. The Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan power transmission line and optical fiber communications line, initiated by the Turkmen side, were cited as projects aimed at developing regional energy and digital cooperation.
National Leader of the Turkmen people Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov and Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov expressed confidence that the talks would benefit both countries. The sides also stressed the need to further strengthen cooperation in these areas.
