A solemn ceremony of signing a number of important documents designed to facilitate the further implementation of the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan–Pakistan–India (TAPI) gas pipeline construction projects, as well as the Turkmenistan–Afghanistan-Pakistan (TAP) electric and fiber–optic communication line was held today in the “Salam Khan” presidential Palace in Kabul.

According to the Turkmen foreign Ministry, the signing ceremony was attended by President of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan Mohammad Ashraf Ghani, members of the government, heads of relevant ministries and departments of Turkmenistan and Afghanistan, as well as representatives of international companies involved in the implementation of projects.

Authorized representatives of Turkmenistan and Afghanistan signed a Memorandum of understanding between the State concern "Turkmengaz" the company "TAPI Pipeline Limited" and "Afgan Gaz Enterprise creation and market development of natural gas in the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan"; the Memorandum on cooperation in the field of communication and information between the Agency "Turkmenatlary" and the Ministry of communication and information technology Islamic Republic of Afghanistan; The contract between the State enterprise of telecommunication "Turkmentelecom" Agency "Turkmenatlary" and the communications company "Afghan Wireless" for the connection of fiber optic cable between Turkmenistan and the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan on state border "Serhetabat-turgundi and Imamnazar–Akina" for the purpose of organization of international transit traffic; the Agreement on purchase of electricity to Afghanistan in the framework of the project transmission lines "Turkmenistan–Afghanistan–Pakistan."

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of foreign Affairs of our country Rashid Meredov, who participated in the ceremony via videoconference, noted the high level of cooperation between Turkmenistan and Afghanistan on a wide range of issues, and also stressed the importance of signing current documents designed to facilitate the practical implementation of joint projects of geopolitical and geo-economic importance for the entire Eurasian continent.

IRA President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani, in turn, expressed gratitude to President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov for his support and commitment to friendship between the two countries and peoples, as well as the development of large-scale energy projects and the creation of multilateral transport and transit corridors designed to have a constructive impact not only on the comprehensive reconstruction of Afghanistan, but also on regional economic integration.

It was also emphasized that the signing of these documents was an important step towards further active implementation of joint projects in Afghanistan.