Turkmenistan will continue to offer economic and political-diplomatic support to Afghanistan, according to Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty (People's Council) of Turkmenistan. He made this statement during the opening ceremony of new energy, transport, communication, and logistics infrastructure projects along the Turkmen-Afghan border.
"I want to assure our Afghan brothers and partners that Turkmenistan will continue to provide comprehensive support to our neighboring country, including economic and political-diplomatic assistance, especially on the international stage," Berdimuhamedov’s statement was quoted by the official newspaper Neytralny Turkmenistan.
During the ceremony, a humanitarian aid shipment was sent to Afghanistan through the Berdimuhamedov Charity Fund for Children in Need of Care. The shipment included baby food, wheat, food and industrial products, and fuel.
Seven infrastructure projects were inaugurated or launched. These included the construction of the "Serkhetabat-Herat" section of the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India gas pipeline, an optical fiber communication line, and the Shatlyk-1 gas compressor station in the Mary Region. The first section of the Turgundi-Herat railway and a warehouse complex at the dry port of the Turgundi railway station also commenced. Additionally, a 177-meter railway bridge was opened, and the Nur-el-Jahad power station in Afghanistan’s Herat was launched as part of the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan transmission line project.
"According to estimates, these projects will create at least 12,000 jobs for the Afghan people and generate over $1 billion annually for the country, which will positively impact the dynamics of not only bilateral relations but also the entire region. These projects are aimed at achieving a shared goal: to significantly boost the development of both countries, ensure sustainable development in the region, and, ultimately, promote prosperity and well-being for our peoples. Furthermore, the projects align closely with the United Nations' long-term strategy and are designed to promote sustainable development in Central and South Asia, as well as in neighboring countries," Berdimuhamedov emphasized.
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
Photo: ResoluteSupportMedia/Creative Commons 2.0
Based on materials from TASS