President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, during a telephone conversation with his Afghan counterpart today, stated that Turkmenistan is ready to build special facilities-terminals-similar to those built in our country – for the disinfection of railway transport and cargo at border railway stations, checkpoints and in some other places on the territory of Afghanistan as humanitarian aid.

Thus, the measures taken by joint efforts will allow achieving a high level of sanitary and epidemiological safety, creating conditions for decontamination of transport and cargo crossing the border, the state news Agency of Turkmenistan reports.

During the telephone conversation, the two heads of state noted the need to develop a coordinated approach to solving the problems associated with the COVID-19 pandemic.

In this regard, the Turkmen leader recalled that our country has put forward the idea of broad involvement of scientific diplomacy mechanisms in the fight against such challenges of the time as the spread of coronavirus on a global scale. This will ensure close cooperation of scientists and specialists from different countries, who could quickly exchange information, knowledge and experience on methods of prevention and treatment of dangerous infectious diseases, the development of effective medicines and personal protective equipment.

The fact is that the mechanisms of scientific diplomacy are the most effective vector of cooperation in the current realities, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov stressed, so the initiative put forward by the Turkmen side to create a Council of medical scientists could have a positive impact on the overall fight against coronavirus.

The Turkmen leader continued that leading medical scientists and health professionals should join forces in order to, first, determine the nature of the disease; second, thoroughly study the forms of its manifestation; and third, develop scientifically – based methods of prevention and effective treatment.

Turkmenistan, successfully implementing a set of measures to combat a dangerous virus, fully supports the efforts of the world community and considers it necessary to intensify international cooperation aimed at developing coordinated actions, Berdimuhamedov once again stressed, noting that only through joint efforts of countries can positive results be achieved.

During the conversation, they also expressed mutual interest in enhancing political and diplomatic, trade and economic, cultural and humanitarian ties between the countries.

Presidents Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov and Mohammad Ashraf Ghani highlighted the fuel and energy, transport and communication spheres as priority areas of partnership, where large-scale projects are being implemented in recent years to serve the prosperity of not only the fraternal countries, but also the entire Central Asia.

First of all, we are talking about the construction of the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) transnational gas pipeline, which will provide long-term supplies of Turkmen natural gas to the largest countries of Southeast Asia.

There was mutual confidence that the new gas pipeline will make a real contribution to the formation of the modern architecture of global energy security.

Another significant project is the construction of a new interstate energy highway – a high-voltage power transmission line and fiber-optic communication along the route Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan.

Taking into account the important geo-economic and geopolitical significance, special attention will also be paid to the further development of international transport corridors, of which the Serhetabat-Turgundi and Kerki-Imamnazar-Akina Railways have already become part.

It is expected that the major transport and communication projects implemented jointly will serve the sustainable development of the entire region. At the same time, Turkmenistan has initiated a number of concrete steps aimed at restoring the economy and social infrastructure of the neighboring country.

Thus, along with the supply of electricity and liquefied gas at a reduced price, and humanitarian supplies on a free basis, Turkmenistan is building medical and educational facilities in the border areas of Afghanistan at its own expense. In addition, the educational institutions of our country train Afghan students who receive professional knowledge in various specialties.

Expressing solidarity with the fraternal Afghan people in their quest for peace and harmony, Turkmenistan will continue to provide them with all possible support and humanitarian assistance, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov stressed.

Confirming the mutual desire to intensify the interstate dialogue, the heads of the two neighboring countries expressed their commitment to a long-term partnership.

During the telephone conversation, the President of Turkmenistan congratulated the head of Afghanistan on the Oraza holiday, which is sacred to Muslims all over the world, wishing him good health and happiness, and peace, prosperity and prosperity to the people of the friendly country.

In turn, the President of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan congratulated President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov and all Turkmen citizens on the 25th anniversary of the country's neutrality this year, as well as on the fact that the UN declared 2021 the International year of peace and trust on the initiative of the Turkmen leader.