Afghanistan, Turkmenistan Agree to Accelerate TAPI, TAP and Railway Projects
DID Press: Afghanistan and Turkmenistan have agreed to accelerate the implementation of major energy, transit and connectivity projects, including the TAPI gas pipeline, TAP power transmission project, fiber-optic network and the Herat–Torghundi railway, following talks between senior officials in Torghundi, Herat province.
Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar Akhund, the Taliban’s deputy prime minister for economic affairs, met with Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, Turkmenistan’s national leader, during Baradar’s visit to Herat. The two sides discussed progress on TAPI and broader economic cooperation.
Baradar welcomed progress on the TAPI project in Herat but called for an agreement on the price of gas and a revised pricing formula to reduce the impact of sharp fluctuations in European energy markets. He also called for a long-term contract, favorable conditions and a flexible mechanism for reviewing the agreement.
He urged Turkmenistan to cooperate in developing Herat’s gas distribution and consumption network and proposed establishing a joint technical and legal commission to address outstanding issues related to TAPI. Baradar also called for greater employment opportunities for Afghans working on the project.
The Taliban official further called for expanded economic and transit cooperation, including reopening the Aykrym port for oil transit, facilitating Afghan goods through Turkmenbashi Port, reviving the Lapis Lazuli Corridor, and rebuilding and expanding the Herat–Torghundi railway.
Berd Berdimuhamedov said Turkmenistan was ready to cooperate in extending the TAPI pipeline to Herat, developing the province’s gas distribution network and launching the TAP project. He added that several foreign companies were prepared to invest in TAP.
Turkmenistan’s national leader also pledged to facilitate Afghan commercial and transit cargo through Turkmenbashi Port and stressed bilateral cooperation to revive the Lapis Lazuli Corridor and expand regional trade.
The two sides agreed to establish a joint technical committee led by senior officials from both countries to oversee the implementation of TAPI, TAP, fiber-optic and railway projects and ensure closer coordination.