Acceleration of TAPI Project Implementation Discussed in Herat

HERAT, Afghanistan — Afghanistan’s Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs, Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar Akhund, met with Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, National Leader of Turkmenistan, in Herat to discuss the latest developments and future activities related to the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) gas pipeline project.

According to the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs, the meeting focused on the progress of the TAPI project and broader economic cooperation between Afghanistan and Turkmenistan.

Mullah Baradar called for the acceleration of the TAPI project, an agreement on the price of natural gas, the establishment of a gas distribution network in Herat, improved transit facilities at the Aqina and Turkmenbashi ports, and the activation of the Lapis Lazuli Corridor.
The two sides also agreed to establish a joint technical committee led by senior officials to oversee and facilitate the implementation of the TAPI, TAP, fiber-optic and railway projects.

During the meeting, the Afghan side urged Turkmenistan to reach an agreement with Afghanistan on the price of natural gas. Mullah Baradar also called for adjustments to the gas pricing formula to prevent sharp fluctuations in European energy markets from having a significant impact on gas prices.

Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov said that relations between Turkmenistan and Afghanistan had been strengthened on the basis of goodwill and good-neighborly relations, creating opportunities for cooperation in various fields.
He stated that Turkmenistan was prepared to cooperate not only in extending the TAPI pipeline to Herat Province, but also in the construction of a gas distribution network in Herat. He added that Turkmenistan was ready to facilitate transit and trade activities involving Afghanistan.
Berd Berdimuhamedov also emphasized the importance of joint efforts to reactivate the Lapis Lazuli Corridor, with the aim of increasing trade between Afghanistan, Turkmenistan and the wider region.

He assured the Afghan side that work on ongoing electricity and railway projects in Afghanistan would be completed rapidly and within the designated timelines.
At the conclusion of the meeting, both sides agreed to establish a technical committee headed by senior officials to follow up on and implement the TAPI, TAP, fiber-optic and railway projects. The committee is expected to help ensure that the projects move forward more effectively and efficiently.