President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov and President of Afghanistan Ashraf Ghani on Thursday took part via video link in the inauguration ceremony of a number of joint infrastructure projects, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan said in a press release.
The inaugurated projects include the Akina-Andkhoy railway line, Ymamnazar-Akina and Serhetabat-Turgundi international fiber-optic communication and transit systems, and electricity lines extending from Turkmenistan’s Kerki city to Afghanistan’s Sheberghan city.
In his opening speech, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov said “all three projects that have been completed in a short period of time are united by a common meaning and a common goal - to give strong impulse and ensure long-term development of our countries, the prosperity and well-being of the Turkmen and Afghan peoples, assist expanded international cooperation, mutual understanding, political and social stability.”
During his address to the participants of the ceremony, President of Afghanistan Mohammad Ashraf Ghani noted that these events have a special meaning for Afghanistan and its people. Talking about the origins of the projects, the head of Afghanistan highlighted their significance not only from the perspective of the country's socio-economic revival, but also from the prospect of regional economic integration.
The President of Afghanistan expressed gratitude to his Turkmen counterpart for fraternal support and care for his neighbor. He noted that Turkmenistan unites not only the countries of the region, but also the whole world.
A Memorandum of Understanding for the construction of the railway was signed by Afghan and Turkmen officials in February 2019.
