Taliban Assure Full Support for TAPI and Other Trans-Afghanistan Development Projects of Turkmenistan

Ashgabat; On the 6th of February 2021, the leadership of Turkmen foreign ministry met with the delegation of Political Office of Taliban movement headed by Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar in the MFA of Turkmenistan.

During constructive negotiations, the parties have underlined the importance of establishing and maintaining peace and stability in Afghanistan.

In this regard, it has been noted that Turkmenistan has given significant support for Afghan people, contributed to the development of Afghan economy, primarily strategically important fields such as energy, transport, connectivity and communications.

The significant projects in the aforementioned fields are “Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India” pipeline, high voltage electric power transmission line, fiber-optic connection along “Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan” route, as well as railways connecting Turkmenistan and Afghanistan.

The delegation of Political Office of Taliban movement expressed full support to the implementation of above-mentioned infrastructure projects aimed at ensuring well-being and prosperity for Afghan people.

The representatives of Afghan delegation made a statement to the press and answered questions from journalists after the negotiations.

Further, full text of press statement by the delegation of Political Office of Taliban movement

«Dear Mass Media Representatives!

First of all, let me welcome you today at the press conference and introduce myself. My name is Mohammad Suhail Shaheen, I am member of the Political Office and Negotiations Team of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan.

On behalf of the IEA Political Office, I would like to express my gratitude to the Turkmen side for the invitation to visit Turkmenistan and for warm hospitality.

Yesterday, as part of our visit, we visited two mosques and acquainted with the ancient religious sites and cultural traditions of the Turkmen people.

Today, here, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan, we held talks in an open and friendly atmosphere with His Excellency Rashid Meredov, Foreign Minister of Turkmenistan and Deputy Prime Minister and his delegation, during which we gave a positive assessment of the policy of neutral Turkmenistan towards Afghanistan and the long-term political and economic support to Afghanistan that neighboring Turkmenistan is providing, provided and will provide.

Turkmenistan, as a Muslim, neighboring, neutral state, has been taking initiatives for a number of years aimed at establishing peace and development in Afghanistan.

The implementation of infrastructure projects in Afghanistan initiated by Turkmenistan deserves special attention and assessment. There is no doubt that the early start of construction of projects such as TAPI, TAP and railways from Turkmenistan to Afghanistan will contribute to the achievement of prosperity and economic development in Afghanistan. On the one hand, while we are struggling to gain independence of our country, meanwhile, we are trying to contribute to prosperity of our people and development of our country by providing protection to all national projects in the country.

In this regard, as the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, we declare our full support for the implementation and security of TAPI and other developmental projects in our country.

I thank you for your attention!”