President of Turkmenistan ‘satisfied’ with Afghanistan situation

On the last day of his visit to Turkmenistan, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Emirate, Amir Khan Muttaqi met with the president of Turkmenistan, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow for talks on a number of issues.

Muttaqi presented information to Turkmenistan’s leader about security, stability and new opportunities for investment in Afghanistan.

Muttaqi thanked Berdimuhamedow for paying special attention to cooperation and good relations with Afghanistan and said both countries have been able to make good progress in many fields.

Berdimuhamedow said he is satisfied with Afghanistan. He said that he is paying special attention to gas and electricity transmission to Afghanistan and will also make efforts in the development of railway lines.

Berdimuhamedow said an expo of Afghanistan’s goods in Ashgabat next week was very important and historic and emphasized that both sides should make good use of it.

He promised to create facilities in areas of trade with Afghanistan.

This comes after Muttaqi met with the Deputy Minister of the Council of Ministers of Turkmenistan, Bater Amanov for talks on oil and gas affairs.

During meeting, the two sides held comprehensive discussions on TAPI and the supply of LPG to Afghanistan.

Muttaqi said that following the visit of the Turkmen foreign minister to Herat, work on the implementation of TAPI project has been expedited in Afghanistan.

Additionally, Muttaqi said that the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan remains firmly committed to the implementation of the TAPI project, expressing the hope that the first phase of the extension of pipeline to Herat province would start soon.

FM Muttaqi said that Herat province is a densely populated province of Afghanistan and with implementation of the TAPI project, Herat can provide a good market for Turkmenistan’s gas.

The Deputy Chairman of the Council of Ministers of Turkmenistan said that the supply of energy, especially the TAPI project, is a core priority for the Government of Turkmenistan. He said that the extension of TAPI project to Herat province is also of special importance to the government.

Expressing gratitude for the efforts of the government of Afghanistan in regards with the TAPI project, Bater Armanov called the commitment and efforts of the Islamic Emirate significant, expressing hope that the work on the agreements regarding TAPI project will be completed soon so that the TAPI pipeline can be inaugurated in the territory of Afghanistan.