TURKMEN-AFGHAN POLITICAL CONSULTATIONS WERE HELD IN AFGHANISTAN

On June 6, 2021, the Turkmen-Afghan political consultations at the level of Ministers of Foreign Affairs were held.

During the consultations, a wide range of issues related to political-diplomatic, trade-economic, cultural-humanitarian cooperation between Turkmenistan and the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan was discussed.

The parties have discussed in detail the joint plans and projects in accordance with agreements reached by the President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov and the President of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan Mohammad Ashraf Ghani.

In his speech, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan Rashid Meredov voiced the priority vectors of cooperation between the two countries and emphasized the positive dynamics of bilateral relations development.  The effectiveness of cooperation through the foreign ministries of two countries was noted.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan Mohammad Haneef Atmar also noted with content the high level of interstate relations and stressed the importance of support by Turkmenistan for Afghanistan and its people.

The parties have noted the constructive nature of the partnership in trade-economic, fuel-energy and transport-communications fields. The implementation of the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India transnational gas pipeline project (TAPI) and the high-voltage power transmission line along the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan route were considered. Issues related to the construction of the Turghundi-Herat railway section with the participation of the Turkmen side were discussed. The potential for establishing partnership in the field of construction materials production was analyzed.

The regional security was also on the agenda. The importance of coordination of actions in maintaining stability and sustainable development in Afghanistan was highlighted. In this context, the role of permanent neutrality status of Turkmenistan that continues to support the neighboring country through economic and humanitarian initiatives by implementing specific projects involving the Afghan side was emphasized.

Constructive exchange of views on further development of Turkmen-Afghan cooperation for the sake of two countries and peoples took place during the consultations.