ISLAMABAD -UNS: Turkmenistan’s National Leader and Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, held talks with Afghanistan’s Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs, Abdul Ghani Baradar, during a working visit to the Mary velayat and Afghanistan border region.
The meeting focused heavily on advancing the Turkmenistan–Afghanistan–Pakistan–India (TAPI) gas pipeline and strengthening broader economic cooperation between the two neighboring countries.
During the talks, Baradar praised Turkmenistan’s peaceful foreign policy and expressed appreciation for its humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan.
He also emphasized the historical, cultural and spiritual ties between the two peoples.
Both sides highlighted the importance of the TAPI project, particularly the Serhetabat–Herat section, known as “Arkadagyň ak ýoly” (Arkadag’s White Path).
Afghan officials called for the establishment of a joint mechanism involving relevant agencies from both countries to ensure regular coordination and accelerate implementation of the pipeline project.
Baradar also expressed Afghanistan’s interest in Turkmenistan’s experience in training specialists for the gas industry, particularly in preparation for employment opportunities expected to emerge from TAPI-related projects.
The discussions additionally covered transport, logistics, energy and power infrastructure. Officials underscored the importance of the Lapis Lazuli international transport corridor, which links Afghanistan, Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan, Georgia and Türkiye.
Education and humanitarian cooperation were also addressed, including increasing the number of Afghan students studying in Turkmenistan and expanding specialist training.
Berdimuhamedov proposed establishing a Turkmen-Afghan commission on economic cooperation to strengthen the legal and institutional framework for joint projects.
Following the talks, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between Turkmengaz and Afghanistan’s Afghan Gas on cooperation in the gas sector. Videos showcasing progress on the Serhetabat–Herat pipeline were also presented.
The visit concluded with a ceremonial gathering before Berdimuhamedov returned to Ashgabat.
