KABUL (SW) – Officials from the Ministry of Mines and Petroleum (MoMP) say that based on the agreement and discussions between the Afghan delegation with the Turkmenistan authorities, the practical work of the TAPI pipeline project in Afghanistan will be launched soon. The exact timing for its beginning remains uncertain.
Humayun Afghan, the spokesperson for the ministry, says, “The TAPI project was one of the main matters in the visit of the Afghan delegation. There were effective discussions in this regard, and soon, we will be witnessing the practical launch of this project in Afghanistan.”
On the other hand, the Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Emirate, Amir Khan Muttaqi, who has visited Turkmenistan and had discussions with the country’s officials, says his talks with Turkmen officials concluded on some issues.
In a video published on the X account of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Muttaqi says, “The launch of the TAPI project, increasing electricity exports to Afghanistan, the railways and trade matters were discussed. In all sectors, the level of certainty has been high. The two countries desire to have a positive role in the region.”
Muttaqi, in his meeting with Rashid Muradov, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan, assured that Afghanistan is ready to start the practical work of the TAPI project.
Rashid Muradov has also considered the TAPI project to be a “large and strategically important project” for Turkmenistan.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the de-facto government wrote on its X user account, quoting Muradov: “Turkmenistan has worked enough in the TAPI project, and the joint groups of the two countries will work hard. TAPI is a big project of strategic importance for Turkmenistan.”
Meanwhile, experts on economic issues say that the practical launch of the TAPI project can lead to economic growth in Afghanistan.
Abdul Nasir Rashtia, an expert on economic issues, argues, “If we can launch the TAPI project, millions of dollars will benefit the government, and job opportunities will be provided. On the other hand, with the implementation of large projects, investment credit in Afghanistan will increase.”
The TAPI pipeline project is the largest gas transmission project in the region, through which 33 billion cubic meters of Turkmenistan’s gas is transferred annually from Afghanistan to India and Pakistan.
