GURBANGULY BERDIMUHAMEDOV DISCUSSES TAPI, TAP PROJECTS IN AFGHANISTAN

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 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.

The sides held talks on the development of transport and logistics cooperation between the two countries, including the North–South and East–West international transport corridors, as well as the Lapis Lazuli Corridor.