Hakimi, Meredow discuss connectivity, energy projects

KABUL (Pajhwok): Visiting Turkmenistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Raşit Meredow on Saturday called on Finance Minister Eklil Hakimi and both discussed a wide range of issues of mutual interest, a statement from the Ministry of Finance (MoF) said.

Finance Minister Eklil Hakimi thanked Turkmenistan for hosting the 7th Regional Economic Cooperation Conference of Afghanistan (RECCA VII), which was held recently.

The two sides discussed strengthening trade and economic ties, preparation for signing agreements in areas of customs cooperation, legal, air services, security, railways, higher education, water and energy, carpet industry, transit and transport.

In addition, the Aqina-Andkhoy  and Sarhad Abad-Torghundi railways lines, Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan and India (TAPI) gas pipeline project, power transmission project from Turkmenistan to Pakistan via Afghanistan were also discussed.

They also conferred on electric energy delivery in villages of Qargin and Khamab of Jawzjan province, fiber optic, building a terminal (Afghan one) in Turkmenbashi port, problems of Afghan students in Ashgabat.

Training of Afghan specialists in the International University of oil and gas and some other important subjects also came up for discussion.

They also talked about Afghanistan’s membership of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), the Cabinet decision on price and tariff of petroleum and (A80) oil imports and joint projects between the two countries.

During the meeting, the Minister of Finance welcomed the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan to Kabul and thanked for their generous contribution.

nh/ma