Turkmenistan – Afghanistan: strengthening the bridges of traditional friendship

01.09.2024

On August 30, in the conference hall of the Garagum hotel in the capital, a number of Deputy Chairmen of the Cabinet of Ministers, heads of ministries and departments of our country met with members of the Afghan delegation headed by Acting Minister of Mining and Petroleum of Afghanistan H. Badri, who arrived in Turkmenistan on a visit. As it was emphasized during the meeting, independent Turkmenistan, under the leadership of President Serdar Berdimuhamedov, worthily continuing the undertakings of the Hero Arkadaga, is committed to the principles of positive neutrality and the development of fruitful international cooperation. In this context, great importance is attached to the intensification of interstate relations, including with neighboring countries, in particular with Afghanistan. The Turkmen-Afghan dialogue is based on the principles of mutual respect and humanism. Representatives of the Afghan side expressed sincere gratitude to the National Leader of the Turkmen people, Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov and President Serdar Berdimuhamedov for the opportunity to visit the hospitable Turkmen land. It should be noted that Turkmenistan is interested in political and economic stability in Afghanistan and the prosperous life of the fraternal people. Our friendly support is manifested in the transfer of electricity and liquefied natural gas to the neighboring state on a preferential basis, the construction of social facilities on its territory, and the training of specialists. In this regard, representatives of the Turkmen side stressed that under the leadership of President Serdar Berdimuhamedov, concrete steps are being taken to further restore the economy and social infrastructure of Afghanistan. This is also evidenced by the constructive initiatives put forward by the Turkmen State at the sessions of the United Nations General Assembly and other major international forums, which enjoy broad support from the world community. Among the main areas of Turkmen-Afghan cooperation is the fuel and energy sector. In this context, they discussed the Turkmenistan–Afghanistan–Pakistan–India (TAPI) gas pipeline construction project. As it was emphasized, the implementation of this major energy project will contribute to the development of the Afghan economy, attract investment, and positively address important social issues, including the creation of new jobs. It should be noted that, along with the implementation of the TAPI gas pipeline project, the Turkmenistan–Afghanistan–Pakistan (TAP) power transmission line is also being laid. In addition to providing electricity to all infrastructure facilities of the TAPI gas pipeline, this system will allow it to be supplied through Afghanistan to Pakistan and other South Asian countries. The sides also exchanged views on cooperation in the field of construction and industry. In addition, it was noted that the geographically advantageous location of Turkmenistan and Afghanistan between Europe and Asia opens up great opportunities for effective interstate cooperation in the transport and communication sphere. In this regard, the participants of the meeting stressed that both countries attach special importance to expanding their transport and transit capabilities in the interests of the region and the world. Having focused on the positive dynamics of the development of cooperation in priority areas, the parties confirmed their readiness to further develop fruitful ties in the transport and communication sphere. It was noted that combining joint efforts in the implementation of existing capacities will allow in the near future to give a qualitatively new content to the Turkmen-Afghan trade and economic cooperation, and significantly increase the volume of mutual trade turnover. The head of the Afghan delegation expressed gratitude to Hero Arkadag and Arkadagly Hero Serdar for the high level of organization of the meeting in the hospitable Turkmen land. The guests stressed their great interest in developing cooperation with Turkmenistan, which is developing harmoniously in all directions. As part of the visit of the Afghan delegation to our country, a ceremony of signing bilateral documents was held. Among them: "Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Energy of Turkmenistan and the State Company of Afghanistan Da Afghanistan Breshna Sherkat on cooperation in the implementation of the Turkmenistan–Afghanistan–Pakistan power transmission line project"; "Memorandum of Understanding between the agency "Turkmendemiryollary" of the Agency for Transport and Communications under the Cabinet of Ministers of Turkmenistan and the Ministry of Public Affairs of Afghanistan on cooperation in the construction of facilities at the Turgundi railway station" and "Work plan between the agency "Turkmendemiryollary" of the Agency for Transport and Communications under the Cabinet of Ministers of Turkmenistan and the Ministry of Public Affairs of Afghanistan regarding the laying of about 22 kilometers of the site Turgundi–Sanabar on the route of the planned construction of the Turgundi–Herat railway"; "Agreement between TAPI Pipeline Company Limited and the Government of the host country of Afghanistan on the Turkmenistan–Afghanistan–Pakistan–India gas pipeline project." Thus, the meeting with the delegation of Afghanistan and the documents signed following it will give impetus to further expansion of mutually beneficial bilateral cooperation.