Tuesday July 4, 2017
Kabul (BNA) President Mohammad Ashraf leading a delegation of high level government officials left for Turkmenistan for a day-long visit here yesterday, aiming to boost cooperation between Kabul and Ashgabat. This official visit was to be another important step toward further consolidation and development of friendly interstate relations between the two countries. Welcoming President Ghani and the accompanying delegation in the presidential palace, the two presidents discussed key bilateral issues.
Turkmen president said throughout many years, Turkmenistan actively participates in the process of peaceful regulation of the situation in Afghanistan and comprehensively supporting social, economic and cultural revival of the country, adding such initiatives were aimed at implementation of large investment projects, which were to support the restoration of Afghan economy, solution of social and humanitarian issues. New energy projects to ease long-term delivery of Turkmen natural gas to the largest countries of South-East Asia and will give strong impulse to economic development of entire region and will allow the establishment of thousands of employment opportunities, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhammedov said. “It is also important that different like electrical energy, transport and communication and social infrastructural facilities will be built along the pipeline. Besides, Afghanistan will get considerable commercial benefit for transit of gas via its territory,” he added.
“Supporting Afghan people in its quest for peaceful and prosperous life, our country supplies Afghanistan with electrical energy and liquefied gas at reduced cost, builds social facilities, in particular of medical and educational purpose. Beside to this, Afghan students studying in Turkmen universities and acquire professional knowledge in different specialties,” Turkmen president noted. Turkmenistan President also invited President Ghani to attend the Asian games to be held in Ashgabat in coming months. Moreover, the leaders of Turkmenistan and Afghanistan underlined the possibility of increasing the volumes of the mutual trade and its diversification and emphasized that the Intergovernmental commission on trade and economic cooperation would work in this area. Thanking Turkmenistan for war welcome and hospitality, President Ghani considered Turkmen’s impartial policy an example for the region and the world, saying such policy has turned Afghanistan and Turkmenistan to be good friends.
Hinting to importance of International Transport Conference to be held in Ashgabat, President Ghani said the two countries cooperation in the field of energy transportation was increasing, calling energy the base for infrastructural development. During President Ghani’s visit, a number of bilateral documents were also signed by high-level officials of the two countries. Ministries of Foreign Affairs of both countries adopted the Program of cooperation for 2018 -2019. Meanwhile Memorandum of Understanding for cooperation in carpet industry, Agreement on International Road Transport and Agreement on International Railroad Checkpoint on Turkmen – Afghan border were also signed on intergovernmental level. Both sides also signed the regulation on Organization of Railroad Transport between Imamnazar and Aqina Border Stations.
Ministry of Water and Energy of Afghanistan and Ministry of Energy of Turkmenistan singed MoU on supply of Turkmen energy to Badghis and Jauzjan Provinces of Afghanistan. The Agreement on Cooperation in Scientific and Educational Spheres were also signed between Magtumguly Turkmen State University and Jauzjan University of Afghanistan. President Ghani was accompanied by Finance Minister Eklil Hakimi, Minister of Economy Abdul Satar Murad, General Director of the administrative office of the President, Abdul Salam Rahimi, senior presidential adviser Dr. Humayoun Qayumi, senior presidential envoy for the Central Asia Mohammad Shakir Kargar, and senior presidential adviser for public relations and strategic relations Shah Zaman Maiwandi.
