It is a great honor for me to be here today, said the Prime Minister of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, at the ceremony dedicated to the launch of the next stage of the TAPI project. The head of Government of Pakistan expressed sincere gratitude to the President of Turkmenistan, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, for the pragmatic approach to the issues of international energy cooperation and constructive initiatives put forward in this strategic sphere. The Prime Minister of Pakistan stressed that the concept of construction of the TAPI pipeline is coming to fruition, which means that long-standing historical bonds between the peoples of the region are reborn and new opportunities for productive interstate cooperation are created. Thanking the governments of all countries taking part in the TAPI project for active contribution to its implementation, Shahid Khaqan Abbasi noted Pakistan’s major interest in the new energy route due to the dynamic pace of economic development and, consequently, the growing demands for energy of the country with a population of 270 million people. The head of Government of Pakistan also stressed the importance of projects in the field of electric energy and establishment of international transit and transport corridors aimed at promoting comprehensive development and economic prosperity of Central Asia. Pakistan is ready for future active cooperation in this field, stated Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, and renewed his congratulations to the TAPI project partners and to the Asian Development Bank with the launch of the new stage of construction of the pipeline.