ASHGABAT (TCA) — Presidents of Turkmenistan and Afghanistan Gurbanguly Berdymukhammedov and Mohammad Ashraf Ghani held talks in the Turkmen capital Ashgabat on July 3.
Commenting on the results of the Turkmen-Afghan summit meeting at a press conference held after the event, President Berdymukhammedov spoke about the need to implement, with the participation of the Afghan side, major infrastructure projects in priority sectors such as energy and transport, the State News Agency of Turkmenistan reported.
First of all, it is the construction of the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) gas pipeline. At present, this project is already being implemented. Work is underway to build the Turkmen segment of the gas pipeline, which will be completed within the agreed timeframe, the Turkmen leader said.
The construction of the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan railway was also discussed during the talks. In the autumn of last year, the laying of the first stage of the main line within the section of Atamyrat-Yamnazar-Akina was completed. Currently, the parties are continuing the construction of the rail route, which in the future is planned to extend to the border with Tajikistan, on the Afghan territory.
The presidents also discussed the supply of Turkmen electricity to Afghanistan. Joint steps to expand electricity transmission by constructing additional facilities on the Afghan side were discussed.
A number of bilateral documents were signed as a result of Turkmen-Afghan high-level talks.
The foreign ministries of both countries adopted the Program of cooperation for 2018-2019. A Memorandum of Understanding for cooperation in the carpet industry, an Agreement on International Road Transport and an Agreement on International Railroad Checkpoint on the Turkmen–Afghan border were signed on the intergovernmental level. The sides also signed the Regulation on Organization of Railroad Transport between Imamnazar and Akina Border Stations.
The Agreement on Cooperation between the Ministry of Energy of Turkmenistan and the Ministry of Energy and Water Management of Afghanistan provides for the supply of Turkmen energy to Bagdis and Jauzdan Provinces of Afghanistan.
The Agreement on Cooperation in Scientific and Educational Sphere was signed between Magtumguly Turkmen State University and Jauzdan Province University.
