It was noted that expansion of relations with neighbouring countries including Afghanistan, which nation is connected with Turkmen people by old friendship and historical and cultural similarity, is one of key direction of foreign policy course of our country.
Turkmenistan renders actual support to neighbouring country in the strengthening of the basis of creative life. This is indicated by the supply of Turkmen energy and liquefied gas by beneficial price, regular humanitarian aid, building of social facilities in Afghanistan especially medical and educational facilities, assistance in training of personnel.
Recently, the interstate dialog has acquired new content, which was supported by the implementation of large-scale infrastructural projects initiated by Turkmen leader Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov. It includes the construction of Turkmenistan – Afghanistan – Pakistan – India transnational gas line, Turkmenistan – Afghanistan – Pakistan power and fibre optic lines, formation of transit and transport corridors.
It is planned to sign number of important documents aimed at further improvement of beneficial Turkmen – Afghan cooperation in priority direction by the outcomes of bilateral high-level talks.
In this regard, the President of the country highlighted that at modern stage, the relations between Turkmenistan and Afghanistan have significantly activated and entered new levels. Speaking from the positions of regulation of the situation in Afghanistan by exclusively political and diplomatic measures, Turkmenistan takes specific measures aimed at the recovery of the economy and social infrastructure of neighbouring country, the Head of the State noted.
This is indicated by the initiatives of Turkmen side, including on the TAPI gas line, proposed at the UN General Assemblies and other representative international forums. Practical implementation of this major project will be an actual input to the formation of modern architecture of global energy security and will support the solution of current social problems in Afghanistan like creation of new work places.
Cooperation in such strategic sphere as transport, which also has significant potential, is also very important. In future, it will allow Afghanistan connecting to the system of transit and transport traffic in regional and international scale.
Expressing the solidarity with fraternal Afghan people in its desire for peace and harmony, Turkmenistan would continue rendering comprehensive support and necessary humanitarian aid, the Head of the State highlighted. In this context, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov addressed the Vice-premier, the Head of Foreign Ministry with elative assignments for provision of high organizational level of preparation to coming official visit of the President of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan.
