The acting Foreign Minister of Afghanistan Amir Khan Muttaqi said that work on Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) gas pipeline project will resume soon in his country.
The Taliban’s foreign minister, speaking at a joint press conference with Turkmenistan Foreign Minister Rashid Meredov, stated that during the two-day visit, both parties discussed matters related to improving political and economic cooperation.
Furthermore, he said that “Important issues such as TAPI, railroads, and electricity were discussed. We discussed how to strengthen the projects that had already started.”
In addition, Muttaqi said, “Also, the projects that were started by Turkmenistan, such as TAPI—its practical implementation will start soon in Afghanistan.”
Meanwhile, Meredov has extended an invitation to the Afghan Foreign Minister to visit Turkmenistan.
According to Islamic Emirate Spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid, Meredov and his entourage met with Deputy Prime Minister Abdul Salam Hanafi and addressed economic concerns, including the TAPI project, and railroads, as well as making critical choices.
In addition, Turkmen Foreign Minister visited Mullah Mohammad Hassan Akhund, acting prime minister of the Taliban’s transitional authority, at his office.
Zabihullah Mujahed, the Taliban spokesperson and deputy minister for information and culture said, “During the meeting, both sides discussed bolstering relations, economic, trade, security, and humanitarian assistance.”
TAPI Project
The TAPI project was launched in 2016.
The TAPI pipeline will transport 33 billion cubic meters of natural gas per year along a 1,800-kilometer route from Galkynysh, the world’s second-largest gas resource, to Fazilka, India, near the Pakistan border.
The project in Afghanistan began in February 2018 and will feature a 1,814-kilometer gas pipeline connecting Afghanistan to Pakistan and India, with at least 816 kilometers going through Afghanistan.
