Al-Haj Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar Akhund, Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, met today in Herat with the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan, Mr. Rashid Meredov.
During the meeting, the Minister of Mines and Petroleum of Afghanistan, Al-Haj Mullah Hedayatullah Badri; the Minister of Water and Energy, Al-Haj Mullah Mohammad Younus Akhundzada; the Minister of Transport and Railways of Turkmenistan; the State Minister; the Head of the State-Owned Turkmengaz Company; as well as a number of Afghan and Turkmen officials were also present.
During the meeting, discussions were held between the two sides on the TAPI, TAP, railway, and electricity projects.
The Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs stated that the commencement of the TAPI project has paved the way for the expansion of relations between Afghanistan, Turkmenistan, and countries of the region, and noted that Saudi Arabia’s Delta International Company has also expressed interest in investing in this project.
According to the Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs, Delta International Company is interested in investing in the purchase of gas from the TAPI project, increasing the capacity of Turkmenistan’s large gas block, constructing and extending the gas pipeline from Guzara District of Herat Province to Spin Boldak District of Kandahar Province, extending it further from Spin Boldak to the Indian border, and establishing a large and modern gas hub at Gwadar Port in Pakistan.
The Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs also requested Turkmenistan to clarify its position regarding the construction of the Torghundi–Herat railway project, as Kazakhstan has also shown strong interest in the implementation of this project.
He further expressed Afghanistan’s full readiness to finalize the route plan of the TAP project and, in addition, assured full cooperation from Afghanistan for the transmission of electricity to the Bala Murghab, Khumab, and Qirqeen districts, as well as for the initiation of other regional connectivity projects.
He also emphasized the provision of employment opportunities for Afghan citizens within the ongoing projects between the two countries.
Subsequently, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan, Mr. Rashid Meredov, delivered his remarks and expressed his appreciation to the Islamic Emirate for creating a favorable environment for the implementation of the TAPI project.
He stated that by the end of 2026, work on this project will reach the center of Herat Province.
He welcomed the interest of foreign companies in investing in the TAPI project and added that close coordination is required in this regard.
He also expressed Turkmenistan’s readiness to invest in the Torghundi–Herat railway project and stated that work has practically begun in Torghundi.
He further added that his country is prepared to transmit electricity to Afghanistan through five routes and to increase transmission capacity.
In addition, discussions were held on the expansion of bilateral trade, banking cooperation, the creation of employment opportunities, and joint efforts in the management of economic projects across various sectors.
It is noteworthy that, at the conclusion of the meeting, detailed information regarding the progress of ongoing projects was also shared with the participants by the technical teams of both countries.
