On October 20, in Afghanistan’s Herat province, the National Leader of the Turkmen people and Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, held a meeting with Abdul Ghani Baradar, Deputy Prime Minister of Afghanistan for Economic Affairs, Orient.tm reports.
During the talks, the two sides discussed key areas of cooperation and reaffirmed their mutual commitment to strengthening good-neighborly relations. Baradar emphasized that Afghanistan highly values its friendship with Turkmenistan, which conducts a foreign policy based on the principles of positive neutrality and peace.
Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, in turn, noted the historical bonds of brotherhood and mutual respect uniting the Turkmen and Afghan peoples. He highlighted the steady development of bilateral cooperation in trade, energy, transport, and communications, underscoring Turkmenistan’s role as a reliable partner in regional stability.
Special attention was given to major regional infrastructure projects, including the Turkmenistan–Afghanistan–Pakistan–India (TAPI) gas pipeline, and the construction of power transmission and fiber-optic communication lines along the Turkmenistan–Afghanistan–Pakistan route.
On the same day, a ceremonial event was held in Herat to mark the start of construction of the Serhetabat–Herat gas pipeline, symbolically named “Arkadagyň Ak ýoly” (“Arkadag’s Bright Path”). The project is seen as a vital step in enhancing regional energy connectivity and fostering economic growth.
The Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty expressed confidence that such large-scale initiatives will serve as a bridge of friendship and brotherhood, create new employment opportunities, and contribute to improving the well-being of the Afghan people.
Abdul Ghani Baradar thanked Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov and President Serdar Berdimuhamedov for their continuous support and regular humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan, emphasizing the strategic importance of Turkmenistan’s peace-oriented policy.
Both sides confirmed their intention to continue working together to expand bilateral relations and implement joint initiatives for the stability and prosperity of the entire region.
CentralasianLIGHT.org
October 21, 2025