If needed, special security unit to be created for TAPI

KABUL (Pajhwok): Afghanistan is fully prepared to resume practical work on mega gas pipeline project and create a special security unit in case of need, the deputy prime minister for economic affairs said on Saturday.

The Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) is a major natural gas project, whose agreement was signed in 2015 in Ashgabat among the member countries.

In a statement from his office, the deputy prime minister called TAPI an important regional project that was initiated during the Islamic Emirate’s first government. But it had been on hold since the US invasion of Afghanistan, he added.

The statement said: “With the re-emergence of the Islamic Emirate, complete security has been restored in the country. There is a better opportunity for the implementation of this project now than ever before.”

The IEA prioritized the security of national schemes and was fully equipped to execute the TAPI project, a crucial part of Afghanistan’s economic infrastructure, the statement added.

“A few days ago, officials from the Ministries of Interior and Defense as well as the General Directorate of Intelligence assured representatives of Turkmenistan of complete security for TAPI. In case of need, the Islamic Emirate is prepared to form a special force to safeguard the project.”

It said the Islamic Emirate viewed the reconstruction of the country and the revitalisation of its economic infrastructure as its responsibility. The IEA said it believed the political, security and economic prosperity of the region was a shared responsibility of the member states.

The IEA reaffirmed its commitment to enhancing relations and economic cooperation with neighbouring, regional and other countries around the world, based on mutual benefits.

aw/sa/mud