In a recent virtual meeting, Afghanistan’s Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs, Mullah Abdul Ghani Beradar Akhund, and Turkmenistan’s Foreign Minister, Rashid Meredov, focused on strengthening economic ties between their nations. The discussion, held Friday, highlighted several key areas of bilateral cooperation, including the TAPI (Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India) gas pipeline project, the expansion of the Torghundi port’s railway station, and the facilitation of transit and transport between Afghanistan and Turkmenistan.
Abdul Ghani Beradar
Deputy PM Beradar emphasized the robust political and economic relations between Afghanistan and Turkmenistan and urged both countries to leverage the current favorable environment to launch significant economic projects. “The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan is committed to an economy-focused foreign policy with a strong emphasis on regional connectivity,” Beradar stated. He noted that cooperation from regional partners, particularly Turkmenistan, is essential for achieving these goals.
Foreign Minister Meredov responded positively, expressing Turkmenistan’s readiness to advance the TAPI project within Afghanistan soon. He also outlined plans for Turkmenistan to invest in Afghanistan’s electricity and railway sectors, underscoring the commitment to deepening political and economic ties. Meredov extended an invitation to Deputy PM Beradar to visit Turkmenistan, signaling further collaboration and engagement between the two countries.
This meeting reflects a strategic push to enhance economic cooperation and infrastructure development, aiming to bolster regional connectivity and mutual benefits.