Turkmenistan FM Pledged Readiness for TAPI Project

The Foreign Minister of Turkmenistan, in a virtual meeting with Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, deputy prime minister for economic affairs, said that Turkmenistan is ready to begin work on the TAPI project in Afghanistan with the aim of developing political and economic relations.

According to a press release from the Deputy Prime Minister’s Office for Economic Affairs, the virtual meeting also discussed economic, transit, trade, and political cooperation between the two countries.

The press release further mentioned that the Foreign Minister of Turkmenistan requested Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar visit Turkmenistan at an appropriate time.

Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar said in the meeting that the Islamic Emirate, with a focus on an economy-centered foreign policy, is primarily focused on regional connectivity and needs Turkmenistan’s cooperation to achieve this goal.

Abdul Latif Nazari, the Deputy Minister of Economy, told TOLOnews about this virtual meeting: “The Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs discussed the expansion of railways, energy development, and the TAPI project with the Foreign Minister of Turkmenistan, and it was also decided to increase economic, trade, and transit cooperation between the two countries.”

Some economic experts said the start of the TAPI project and the expansion of relations between Kabul and Ashgabat are important for the economic growth of both countries.

Abdul Zahoor Madbar, an economic expert, told TOLOnews: “The TAPI project can undoubtedly bring many economic benefits to Afghanistan, provided that the implementation of this project proceeds correctly. TAPI can provide employment opportunities for the people of Afghanistan to some extent.”

“Afghanistan is an untapped country, and any project can positively impact Afghanistan, including the TAPI project, which has its own effectiveness since Afghanistan will earn 400 million dollars annually in transit fees,” said Mir Shekib Mir, an economic analyst.

Previously, the Turkmenistan ambassador in Kabul also discussed his country’s investments in Afghanistan’s mines and the start of the TAPI project in the near future during a meeting with the acting minister of Mines and Petroleum.