Kabul, Ashgabat stress cooperation, joint project implementation

KABUL (Pajhwok): Minister of Foreign Affairs Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi and his Turkmen counterpart Rashid Meredov have discussed the expansion of bilateral relations between Kabul and Ashgabat, regional cooperation and the implementation of joint economic projects.

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA), Muttaqi held a video conference with Meredov, who also serves as the prime minister of Turkmenistan.

In a statement, the ministry said the two sides exchanged views on matters of mutual interest, regional cooperation and plans for the coming year.

Muttaqi welcomed the recent progress in relations between the two countries, noting that with the strengthening of constructive ties between the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA) and Turkmenistan, practical work on the Turkmenistan–Afghanistan–Pakistan–India (TAPI) gas pipeline project has begun along its route in western Herat province.

He added that the railway project and the Turkmenistan–Afghanistan–Pakistan (TAP) power transmission project were nearing implementation.

He said that bilateral relations between Afghanistan and Turkmenistan continued to expand across various sectors.

For his part, Meredov recalled the historic and friendly relations between the two countries, expressed satisfaction over the growing cooperation at different levels, and emphasised the importance of close coordination in implementing economic projects, official exchanges, and future programmes.

The foreign ministers of both countries also described the strengthening of cooperation and regional dialogue—particularly within the framework of Afghanistan’s engagement with Central Asian states—as important and valuable.

kk/sa