Turkmenistan’s Foreign Minister has stated that his country will enhance cooperation with Afghanistan in the sectors of railways, trade, and transit.
Rashid Meredov held talks with Amir Khan Muttaqi, the Acting Foreign Minister of the Islamic Emirate, discussing political and economic relations and the strengthening of diplomatic ties between Kabul and Ashgabat.
Zia Ahmad Takal, spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said: “The Foreign Minister of Turkmenistan assessed the progress of the TAPI project positively and pledged to expand practical cooperation in rail, trade, and transit.”
Meanwhile, the Governor of Herat, who has traveled to Turkmenistan, met with the Governor of Mary Province to discuss the importance of cooperation in the areas of energy, transport, and marble exports, emphasizing the need to strengthen these partnerships.
Some economic experts consider enhancing relations with Central Asian countries to be in Afghanistan’s strategic interest, given its regional positioning.
Mohammad Nabi Afghan, an economic analyst, said: “We must seize the opportunities available in Turkmenistan. We should utilize Turkmenistan’s experiences and resources for the benefit of our country.”
Turkmenistan, a Central Asian nation with existing trade ties with Afghanistan, is also executing the major TAPI gas pipeline project, which aims to transport gas from Central Asia to South Asia.
So far, the project has advanced more than 14 kilometers within Afghan territory.