The Kabul Tribune (KT) — Taliban officials and Turkmenistan have agreed to accelerate work on major economic projects, including the TAPI gas pipeline, the TAP power transmission project, a fiber-optic network and a railway linking Afghanistan and Turkmenistan, officials said.
Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, the Taliban’s deputy prime minister for economic affairs, met with Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, Turkmenistan’s national leader, in Herat province.
Baradar called for the two countries to reach an agreement on the price of gas for the TAPI project and revise its pricing formula to reduce the impact of sharp fluctuations in European gas markets, according to a statement.
He also called for the establishment of a gas distribution network in Herat and a joint technical and legal commission to resolve outstanding issues related to TAPI. Baradar also urged that more employment opportunities be provided to Afghans working on the project.
Berd Berdimuhamedov said Turkmenistan is ready to establish a gas distribution network in Herat and begin practical work on the TAP project. He also said several foreign companies are prepared to invest in the project.
The two sides also discussed reactivating the Lapis Lazuli transit route, facilitating the movement of Afghan transit goods through Turkmenistan’s Port of Turkmenbashi, and rebuilding and expanding the Herat-Torghundi railway line.
The countries agreed to establish a technical committee made up of senior officials to oversee the implementation of the TAPI, TAP, fiber-optic and railway projects.
