Presidents of Turkmenistan and Afghanistan discussed priority areas of cooperation in the telephone conversation

Having congratulated President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov on the success of the 5th Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games in Ashgabat, President of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan Mohammad Ashraf Ghani expressed his sincere gratitude for the excellent organization of the Asian Games, fine conditions created for, inter alia, the Afghan athletes, and the shown hospitality. 

Our athletes showed good performance at the Games “Ashgabat 2017”, having adequately represented their country, President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani said, pointing out the fact that entered the Afghanistan team was composed of more than 200 athletes. Having competed in 16 sports, they took in the team assessment 26th place among 64 countries. 

Thanking for the kind words, as well as accepting the invitation to visit Turkmenistan and attend the festivities on the occasion of the 5th Asian Games opening, President Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov confirmed Turkmenistan’s invariable commitment to the high humanistic ideals of the Olympic movement. 

Noting also that the “Ashgabat 2017” Games were held for the first time in Central Asia, President Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov expressed confidence that this factor will give a powerful impetus to development of sports in the countries of our region, including Afghanistan. 

Getting to the discussion of Turkmen-Afghan cooperation issues, the sides with satisfaction stressed the dynamics of expanding cooperation between the two countries, in both bilateral and multilateral basis, as part of the largest international organizations and reputable regional agencies. As was stated, the most important agreements, reached during the official visit of the President of Afghanistan to Turkmenistan in July of this year, were another step on the course of deepening the interstate dialogue. 

As the Afghan leader emphasized, his country attaches special significance to good-neighborly relations with Turkmenistan, and highly appreciates the peaceful foreign policy of President Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov, which is the paramount factor for maintaining stability, peace and security in the region. The President of Afghanistan expressed confidence that the comprehensive approaches proposed by the Turkmen leader to solving the Afghan problem, reflected in important international initiatives, will contribute to establishing peace and stability in his homeland. 

Large-scale investment projects which are carried out in the fuel, energy and transport sectors are to play a major role in this respect. It is a matter, first of all, of the construction of the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) transnational gas pipeline. The new main energy line, through which long-term supplies of Turkmen natural gas to the largest countries of South-East Asia will be carried out, will give a powerful impetus to the economic growth of the entire region, and create thousands of new jobs. Of no less importance is that various infrastructures, including electricity, transport, communications and social facilities will be built along the pipeline. 

In this aspect, cooperation in the transport and communications sector is of special significance due to the geographical positions of the two countries. A graphic example of this fact is the Atamyrat-Ymamnazar-Akina railway, the first section of the Asian International Railway Corridor that was commissioned in November 2016. In the future, the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Tajikistan railroad will be an important link along transit-transport routes on a regional and international scale. 

Fruitful partnership between the neighboring states is also maintained in the electric power industry. Today, Turkmen electricity is supplied to the northern regions of Afghanistan on preferential terms, and upon completion of the being built relevant additional capacities the volume of supplies is to be increased. 

In addition, Turkmenistan delivers liquefied gas to Afghanistan at a reduced price, and builds, inter alia, social, medical and educational facilities in the neighboring country. 

Our country is going to continue to take active part in the international efforts to revive neighboring Afghanistan, as well as to render all possible assistance in the restoration of its socio-economic infrastructure, thereby supporting the Afghan people in their aspiration for the peaceful and prosperous life, the President of Turkmenistan stated. 

The sides pointed out the expediency of studying the possibilities for expanding and diversifying mutual trade. In this aspect, emphasis was made on the necessity to step-up the activities of the Intergovernmental Turkmen-Afghan Commission, as well as to encourage broader contacts between business communities. One of the practical steps taken in this area was the opening of joint Trade House “Turkmenistan” in Mazar-i-Sharif city in the Afghan province of Balkh. 

An integral part of Turkmen-Afghan cooperation is the humanitarian sector. It was stressed thereupon that the Turkmen side will continue to assist the neighboring country in training the qualified personnel in various professions, admitting Afghan students to the higher educational institutions of Turkmenistan. 

On behalf of all the Afghan people, the President of IRA expressed gratitude to the Turkmen leader for fraternal solidarity and active support provided to stable development of the neighboring country, as well as for the effective economic and humanitarian aid. 

During the conversation, the heads of two states also discussed some aspects of the international and regional policy of mutual interest. 

The telephone conversation took place on the initiative of the Afghan side.