Governors of border provinces of Afghanistan, Turkmenistan in a videoconference meeting on Thursday discussed strengthening of economic, trade, transport-transit, cultural-humanitarian relations between the two countries.
The meeting gathered governors of Afghanistan’s Herat, Badghis, Jowzjan and Faryab provinces and governors of Turkmenistan’s Mary and Lebap velayats. Diplomats of Turkmenistan and Afghanistan also attended the meeting.
During his opening speech, Khan Wali Khan Basharmal, Ambassador of Afghanistan to Turkmenistan, called this meeting an important step towards strengthening cooperation in various fields which will ultimately lead to the welfare and better life of the citizens of two countries, especially the border provinces, the Afghan Embassy in Turkmenistan said in its press release.
In the video conference, the governors discussed the launch of the TAPI and TAP projects in the territory of Afghanistan and called the implementation of these projects important for member states and the region.
The officials also exchanged views on strengthening the electricity supply system in the border provinces, increasing railway cooperation, cultural cooperation including holding art exhibitions, theater performances, and organizing sports competitions.
The opening of Tora Sheikh dry port in Badghis province and the implementation of humanitarian programs by Turkmenistan in the border provinces were also discussed between the governors of the two countries.
The Afghan and Turkmen border governors also discussed the need for joint ventures in agricultural production, the construction of cold storage facilities, increased inter-private sector communications and the start of marble exports to Turkmenistan.
On January 14, President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov and President of Afghanistan Ashraf Ghani took part via video link in the inauguration ceremony of a number of joint infrastructure projects.
