Senior officials from Afghanistan and Turkmenistan held a joint meeting in Herat province, stressing the need to expedite key bilateral projects, including the TAPI gas pipeline, the TAP electricity transmission project, the development of the Torghundi railway, and power supply to western and northern regions of Afghanistan.
Kabul 24: Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs, and Rashid Meredov, Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan, led their respective delegations during the discussions.
In addition to reviewing progress on energy and infrastructure initiatives, the two sides exchanged views on expanding bilateral trade, enhancing banking cooperation, creating job opportunities, and jointly managing major economic projects.
Homayoun Afghan, spokesperson for the Ministry of Mines and Petroleum, described the talks as productive and stated: “The TAPI project must reach Herat city according to the agreed timeline. Over 90 kilometers of the pipeline route in Afghanistan have been prepared, with nearly 16 kilometers already laid.
Once additional pipes arrive from Turkmenistan in the coming days, the pace of pipe-laying will significantly increase.” Technical teams from both countries are working to ensure that TAPI gas reaches Herat by the end of the current calendar year (2026).
Shafi Azam, Head of Economic Communications at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, noted that discussions also focused on the TAP project — the electricity transmission network from Turkmenistan to Afghanistan and Pakistan — with both sides emphasizing the need to accelerate its implementation.
Turkmenistan reaffirmed its commitment to further develop the Torghundi–Herat railway line and related facilities.Delegations from both countries inspected the ongoing work on the TAPI project in Herat. Turkmen officials also visited the Torghundi railway port and reiterated their support for its expansion.
Mohammad Yunus Qazizada, Head of the Herat Chamber of Commerce and Investment, described these three major projects as game-changers for the economy of southwestern Afghanistan. He expressed hope that their completion would lay the foundation for a new economic era in the country, bringing significant commercial and industrial growth.
The visible progress has generated satisfaction among local citizens. Afghan officials highlight that the TAPI project will not only ensure reliable energy supply but also create thousands of jobs and generate substantial transit revenue for Afghanistan.
Turkmenistan has expressed readiness to increase investment in related infrastructure.
These strengthened ties demonstrate the serious commitment of both nations to deepen regional economic and energy cooperation and could serve as a model for other cross-border initiatives.
