Turkmenistan, Afghanistan Discuss TAPI, Transport and Economic Cooperation
Ashgabat, The Gulf Observer: National Leader of the Turkmen people and Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov paid a working visit to Mary Velayat on August 10 and proceeded from the Islim-Cheshme border area in Serhetabat Etrap to Afghanistan.
During the visit, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov met with representatives of the Afghan side and, at the request of young people from the neighboring country, took a commemorative group photograph with them and presented them with gifts.
He subsequently met Afghanistan’s Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs Abdul Ghani Baradar, along with members of the official delegations of the two countries.
Welcoming the distinguished Turkmen guest, Abdul Ghani Baradar said relations between Afghanistan and Turkmenistan were rooted in the longstanding historical ties and shared cultural and spiritual values of their peoples. He also praised Turkmenistan’s peaceful foreign policy and expressed gratitude for the humanitarian assistance regularly provided to the Afghan people.
Baradar conveyed his greetings and best wishes to President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov.
In response, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov conveyed greetings and best wishes from President Serdar Berdimuhamedov and emphasized the brotherly ties between the Turkmen and Afghan peoples, describing the common border as a “border of friendship.”
The discussions highlighted the importance of the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) gas pipeline and its Serhetabat-Herat section, known as “Arkadagyň ak ýoly” (Arkadag’s White Path), as major symbols of Turkmen-Afghan good-neighborly relations and regional economic cooperation.
The talks continued in an expanded format with the participation of official delegations from both countries. The sides reviewed the development of bilateral trade and economic relations, with particular emphasis on joint infrastructure and energy projects.
Abdul Ghani Baradar stressed the importance of establishing a joint mechanism for regular cooperation between relevant agencies of the two countries to accelerate implementation of the TAPI project. He also expressed Afghanistan’s interest in benefiting from Turkmenistan’s experience in training specialists for the gas industry.
The parties also discussed cooperation in transport and logistics, emphasizing the strategic importance of strengthening links between Central and South Asia. Particular attention was paid to the Lapis Lazuli international transport corridor, established under a five-party agreement signed in Ashgabat in 2017 between Afghanistan, Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan, Georgia and Türkiye.
Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov highlighted the need to further activate the corridor and improve its efficiency, noting its potential to enhance regional connectivity and trade.
The meeting also addressed cultural, humanitarian, scientific and educational cooperation. The sides discussed increasing the number of Afghan students studying in Turkmenistan and expanding the training of qualified specialists, particularly for employment opportunities expected to emerge from the TAPI project.
To strengthen the institutional and legal framework for bilateral economic cooperation, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov proposed establishing a Turkmen-Afghan Commission on Economic Cooperation.
Following the negotiations, verses from the Holy Quran were recited, after which videos showcasing progress on the Serhetabat-Herat section of the TAPI pipeline were presented.
A Memorandum of Understanding was subsequently signed between the State Concern Türkmengaz and the Afghan State Corporation Afghan Gas, further strengthening cooperation in the gas sector.
The two sides later attended a festive sadaka held in honor of the occasion.
Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov then departed for the administrative center of Mary Velayat and was seen off by official representatives at Mary International Airport. He subsequently returned to Ashgabat, where he was warmly received by senior officials upon arrival at the capital’s International Airport.
The visit underscored the commitment of Turkmenistan and Afghanistan to expanding good-neighborly relations and advancing major energy, transport, economic, educational and humanitarian initiatives aimed at strengthening regional connectivity and sustainable development.
