Amir Khan Muttaqi, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Afghan government formed by the Taliban movement, has requested the authorities of Turkmenistan to increase the supply of electricity to the Herat province. The request was made during a meeting with the head of the Turkmen Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Rashid Meredov, on February 26, "Chronicle of Turkmenistan"reports, citing the press service of the Afghan Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Muttaqi requested an increase in electricity supplies through the previously upgraded Turkmen power station Nur al-Jihad. The price at which Turkmenistan supplies electricity is not disclosed; however, as reported by Tolonews, a member of Afghanistan's trade and investment chamber noted its low cost.
The Taliban also requested simplifying visa issuance for Afghan entrepreneurs and transportation personnel; investing in the continuation of the construction of railway lines from Turgundi to Herat and Andkhoy to Shibargan to Mazar-i-Sharif; and increasing scholarships for Afghan students studying in Turkmenistan.
The head of the Turkmen Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasized that Ashgabat has done significant work on the TAPI project (Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India gas pipeline), and teams from both countries will work to start its construction in Afghanistan in the near future.
At the same time, President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdymukhamedov signed a resolution to hold an exhibition of goods from Afghan manufacturers in Ashgabat from March 3 to 5, as well as a Turkmen-Afghan business forum.
In 2021, the then-president of Turkmenistan, Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov, stated that his country was ready to closely collaborate with the new Afghan government and provide assistance to normalize the situation in Afghanistan. In the same year, Meredov held talks with the Taliban in Kabul regarding the TAPI project.
CentralasianLIGHT.org
February 27, 2024