Afghanistan has expressed interest in utilizing the transit opportunities offered by the Turkmenbashi international seaport on the Turkmen coast of the Caspian Sea, as stated by Acting Minister of Industry and Trade of Afghanistan Nuruddin Azizi during a meeting with Chairman of the Khalk Maslahaty (People's Council) of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov. This information is reported by the official newspaper Neytralny Turkmenistan.
Azizi highlighted the significance of the modern multimodal transport and transit corridor established by Afghanistan, Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Turkey, which he described as a contribution to the practical revival of the Great Silk Road.
Berdimuhamedov, in response, emphasized that Turkmenistan, based on its status of permanent neutrality, supports only political and diplomatic efforts in resolving the internal situation in Afghanistan. He underscored the importance of major projects being undertaken in the trade, economic, fuel and energy, and transportation sectors. These include the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India gas pipeline, the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan power transmission line, and the railroad system. Berdimuhamedov noted that the successful execution of these projects would not only benefit the interests of the two countries and their peoples but also enhance the socio-economic conditions of other neighboring states and peoples in the region.
Berdimuhamedov also expressed Turkmenistan's willingness to consider issues related to the participation of Afghan companies in the construction of the second phase of Arkadag city. Arkadag city, initiated by former President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, is set to open in June 2023. The city is the first to implement a Smart City management system in the country, reflecting the former president's vision for modernization and development.
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Based on materials from TASS