UN Special Representative, Turkmenistan discuss situation in Afghanistan

Turkmenistan, Ashgabat, Nov.6 / Trend, H. Hasanov / A meeting was held with the delegation headed by Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Afghanistan Ján Kubiš at the Foreign Ministry of Turkmenistan, State News Service "Turkmen Dovlet Habarlary" (TDH) reported. The sides exchanged views on issues of mutual interest. "The meeting participants discussed the next steps for effective cooperation in strengthening security and promoting recovery and sustainable development of Afghanistan," the report says. According to the report, Ashgabat's principled position on this issue is being convinced that all decisions are made using only peaceful, diplomatic means and resources. In turn, the UN Special Representative stated the fact that a key condition for stabilization of the situation in Afghanistan is restoring its social and economic infrastructure. Kubiš "highlighted important projects in the energy and transport sectors, including construction of Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) gas pipeline, initiated by Turkmenistan. As TDH reported, Turkmenistan provides economic, social assistance to the Afghan people and will be involved in the international community efforts and especially within the cooperation with the United Nations to promote peace and stability in the region and around the world. Both countries have a long border with Afghanistan. At this stage, Turkmenistan is preparing for the construction of the first link of the Atamyrat-Imamnazar-Akin-Andkhoy (Turkmenistan-Afghanistan) railway which may become an important link in the transport area of the Eurasian continent. Turkmenistan undertook the implementation of a large-scale project, which will increase the export of electricity to Afghanistan by five times. The present export capacity in this area is about 325 million kilowatt-hours per year. Turkmenistan's other notable initiatives on Afghanistan includes the project of construction of transnational gas pipeline TAPI, practical implementation of which began in December 2010 by signing the agreement at a high level in Ashgabat. At this stage formation of an international consortium is underway. The Turkmen side conducted several international road shows for TAPI in September with the participation of the Asian Development Bank (ADB). It was reported that Chevron, Exxon Mobil, BP, BG Group, RWE, Petronas and other companies became familiarised with the main terms of the project implementation and expressed an intention to participate in it. Do you have any feedback? Contact our journalist at agency@trend.az