Afghanistan and Turkmenistan signed various economic cooperation MoUs
Three MoUs and an agreement were signed by the Acting Ministers of Mines and Petroleum, Telecommunication and Technology, The Afghanistan Brishna, Bayat Group, Turkmenistan Ambassador to Kabul, Head of TAPI Pipeline and Chalk Company. Afghan President Muhammad Ashraf Ghani also attended the event.
The ceremony was held at the Presidential Palace. In addition to Cabinet members, Turkmenistan Foreign Minister also joined via video conference. While providing information about the MoUs, Acting Head of the Afghanistan Bank thanked President Ghani, who with close understanding with Turkmen president Qurban BerdiMuhammadov paved the way for the singing and implementation of these projects.
Turkmen Foreign Minister Rashid Meredov conveyed his country’s president’s good wishes to President Ghani and the people of Afghanistan. He said that Afghanistan and Turkmenistan as two good neighbors and friends have proved that in addition to having diplomatic ties, they are able to strengthen economic and cultural relations and cooperation.
Mr. Meredov added that the Presidents of Afghanistan and Turkmenistan have always negotiated about mutual cooperation and engagement. He said, his country supports all efforts of peace and stability in Afghanistan and hopes the country will reach to peace.
While pointing out to mutual cooperation between Afghanistan and Turkmenistan, the foreign minister said that by implementing these projects, his country wants to supply energy and benefit the people of both countries. He added that our economic cooperation will be effective for all.
Meredov said that Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan and India will work together in the fields of Gas, Energy and railroad. All these projects are for the more effective cooperation. There are too much opportunities for cooperation, and all will be benefited by these long term projects, he added.
Turkmen Foreign Minister thanked President Ghani and Afghan government for supporting these large projects, as well as their presence in these multilateral projects.
Later on, Acting Ministers of Mines and Petroleum Muhammad Haroon Chakhansori and Telecommunication and Technology Minister, Turkmenistan Ambassador to Kabul Mr. Ovezov Hoja Sapargeldiyewich, Head of TAPI Pipeline M.Murad Amanov, Head of Afghanistan Brishna Daud Noorzai, Head of Turkmenistan Chalk Company Hekmat Siraz and Head of Bayat Group Mr. Ihsanullah Bayat signed various Memorandum of Understandings (MoUs) and an agreement.
In his speech, Afghan President Muhammad Ashraf Ghani thanked Turkmen president Qurban BerdiMuhammadov and said that in harmony and empathy with Turkmen President and his comprehensive attention, we were able to rehabilitate Lapis Lazuli and Silk roads in the past five years and by implementing these large projects we are not only reviving the civilization of Helmand valley, but also take that to the peak.
President Ghani also said that today we are reviving our good history and will compensate our bad one. In the first step, Herat will become the large hub for Gas and energy. We would like to thank the presence of Bayat Group and Chalk Private Company. This shows that Afghanistan and International Private Companies have given hands to supply 500 MW of electricity, he added.
Fiber optic is a 21st century infrastructure, and this gives hope to our youth. In the 21st century, employment opportunities are impossible without the comprehensive knowledge of modern technology, connection and Fiber optic network.
By constructing Khwaf-Herat and Torghondi-Herat railroad, Herat was simousteniously connected with two neighboring countries. Herat will soon be connected to Uzbekistan railroad and will turn to the Herat of Timorian era.
President Ghani also added that the TAPI work will start next year and will cause construction and prosperity in the provinces laying on the pipeline route. He congratulated everyone on this. Turkmenistan in not only a good neighbor to Afghanistan, but for all, and we will return back to our ancient roots, he said.
President Ghani appreciated Turkmenistan for the better coordination and cooperation in Afghanistan’s peace, stability, connection and the initiation of these projects. The creation of a framework for Lapis Lazuli Corridor in the meeting among the Presidents of Afghanistan, Turkmenistan and Azerbaijan is a good news for the better future and welfare.
President Ghani said that Afghanistan and Turkmenistan’s location is the closest way for countries to connect and our cooperation and share efforts are of the benefit for the Central Asia and all other countries. The project documents which were signed today will benefit the people of both countries and that the current situation will have a good news for the future, he added.
