Today, as part of the visit of the Afghan delegation headed by Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs of Afghanistan Amir Khan Muttaqi, which arrived in the Turkmen capital the day before, a meeting was held where the heads of foreign policy departments of the neighboring countries exchanged views on priority areas on the bilateral agenda, in particular, in the field of political, diplomatic, trade, economic and humanitarian cooperation.

Highlighting the effectiveness of the Turkmen-Afghan talks that took place during several visits of our delegation to Afghanistan, the parties emphasized the significant role of diplomatic dialogue between the foreign ministries in the development of interstate relations.

The topic of detailed discussion was the implementation of joint infrastructure projects, which are an important aspect of trade and economic cooperation. First and foremost, it was about the construction of the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) transnational gas pipeline, which will ensure long-term supplies of Turkmen natural gas to the largest countries in Southeast Asia.

Another significant project is the construction of a new energy facility such as the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan (TAP) high-voltage power transmission line, and railways.

Particular emphasis was placed on the need to further step up Turkmen-Afghan cooperation in the field of regional security.

The Foreign Minister of our country stressed that Turkmenistan is certainly interested in the political and economic stability in Afghanistan, and the fraternal people’s wellbeing and unity. Expressing solidarity with the Afghan people in the pursuit of peace and harmony, the Turkmen party confirmed that it would continue to provide them all possible support and humanitarian aid, based on the principles of good neighborliness and centuries-old friendship.

The unchanging position of our country is manifested in providing real assistance to the fraternal Afghan people in building a peaceful and prosperous life, restoring the socio-economic infrastructure. Based on this conceptual vision, Turkmenistan is consistently expanding trade and economic relations with Afghanistan and carrying out significant projects in the fields of energy, transport and communications.

A striking illustration of our country’s commitment to the chosen course is the concrete measures being taken to further increase the electricity supplies, expand the network of cross-border motor and rail roads, as well as the provision of humanitarian aid and assistance in other areas of the Afghan society’s life.

On the instructions of President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, the relevant ministries and departments of Turkmenistan provide free aid to Afghan citizens in the fields of education and healthcare. Domestic specialists are building the most important facilities for various purposes in the neighboring country.

As was emphasized during the meeting, Afghanistan attaches particular importance to relations with Turkmenistan, which are a vivid example of good neighborly cooperation, and meet the interests of peace, security and prosperity of the two countries, as well as in a broader dimension.

Representatives of the Afghan delegation expressed their sincere gratitude to the Turkmen Leader for the huge contribution and active position in the issues related to socio-economic restoration and peaceful settlement of the situation in Afghanistan, emphasizing the importance of large projects initiated by President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov in the fuel and energy complex, electric power, transport and communications sectors, designed to meet common goals both regionally and globally.

At the end of an enlarged format meeting, the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan and Afghanistan addressed the media representatives.

Pointing out that the priority objectives include further expansion of mutually beneficial bilateral partnership, the Turkmen party emphasized the importance of the policy being pursued by President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov in this area, aimed at the development of historically established relations and national traditions at the present stage.

The Afghan delegation expressed sincere gratitude to the leader of the nation for the hospitality shown in the Turkmen land. As was emphasized, Turkmenistan provides consistent assistance in the socio-economic revival of Afghanistan, including by building a number of social infrastructure facilities. Highlighting that the international projects being carried out on the initiative of the Turkmen party contribute to the establishment of peace in the region, the guest expressed confidence that the current meeting would contribute to the further development of mutually beneficial cooperation.

Speaking of the outcomes of the talks, the Foreign Ministers stated the positive and constructive nature of the current Turkmen-Afghan dialogue aimed at expanding the wide-ranging partnership between the two neighboring states.