TAPI pipeline, Lapis Lazuli corridor, energy, trade, education and humanitarian cooperation figure prominently in talks

ASHGABAT, Monday, August 10, 2026 (WNP): Turkmenistan and Afghanistan have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral economic and trade cooperation, with particular emphasis on the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) gas pipeline, transport connectivity, energy infrastructure and human-resource development.

The understanding was reached during talks between National Leader of the Turkmen people and Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov and Afghanistan’s Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs Abdul Ghani Baradar during Berdimuhamedov’s working visit to the Mary velayat on Monday.

Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov travelled to the Islim-Cheshme border area in Serhetabat Etrap before proceeding on a working visit to Afghanistan, where he was received by Afghan officials and members of the two countries’ delegations.

Welcoming the Turkmen leader, Baradar highlighted the longstanding neighbourly relations between Afghanistan and Turkmenistan, rooted in shared history, cultural ties and spiritual values.

He also expressed appreciation for Turkmenistan’s peaceful foreign policy and continued humanitarian assistance to the Afghan people, and conveyed greetings and best wishes to Turkmen President Serdar Berdimuhamedov.

Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov reciprocated the greetings and described the Turkmen and Afghan peoples as brothers, stressing that the border between the two countries should remain a border of friendship.

The discussions placed particular emphasis on the TAPI gas pipeline and the Serhetabat-Herat section, known as “Arkadagyň ak ýoly” (Arkadag’s White Path), which the sides described as an important symbol of Turkmen-Afghan good-neighbourly relations.

Baradar called for the establishment of a joint mechanism involving relevant agencies of the two countries to ensure regular coordination and accelerate work on the TAPI project.

He also expressed Afghanistan’s interest in benefiting from Turkmenistan’s experience in training specialists for the gas industry, particularly in view of employment and technical requirements associated with the TAPI project.

The talks, which were subsequently expanded to include official delegations from both countries, also covered fuel and energy cooperation, transport infrastructure and power-sector development.

The two sides also discussed the role of transport and logistics infrastructure in strengthening connectivity between Central and South Asia.

Particular importance was attached to the Lapis Lazuli international transport corridor, linking Afghanistan, Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan, Georgia and Türkiye.

The five countries signed an agreement in Ashgabat in 2017 to establish the multimodal corridor, which is intended to facilitate trade and transit between Central Asia, the Caspian region, the South Caucasus and Türkiye.

The Turkmen side has proposed measures to enhance the corridor’s efficiency and increase its contribution to regional trade and economic connectivity.

The talks also highlighted prospects for expanding cooperation in culture, humanitarian affairs, science and education.

The two sides reviewed possibilities for increasing the number of Afghan students studying in Turkmenistan and strengthening the training of qualified specialists in various fields, particularly those linked to the gas industry.

Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov also proposed establishing a Turkmen-Afghan Commission on Economic Cooperation to strengthen the legal and institutional framework for advancing joint projects and bilateral economic relations.

The proposal is aimed at providing a regular mechanism for coordination between the two sides and facilitating the implementation of agreed projects.

Following the talks, the delegations viewed video presentations on progress made on the Serhetabat-Herat pipeline before a memorandum of understanding was signed between Türkmengaz and Afghanistan’s Afghan Gas.

The signing marked a further step toward strengthening cooperation in the gas sector and supporting the development of the TAPI-related infrastructure.

The programme concluded with the recitation of verses from the Holy Quran and a festive sadaka held in honour of the occasion.

Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov subsequently returned to Ashgabat, where he was received by senior officials at the capital’s International Airport.

The visit underscored the two countries’ shared emphasis on good-neighbourly relations and highlighted the strategic importance of energy, transport, trade, education and humanitarian cooperation in strengthening connectivity between Central and South Asia.