KABUL (SW) – Officials from the Ministry of Mines and Petroleum have announced that practical work on the TAPI project in Afghanistan will commence following the resolution of legal issues.
Homayun Afghan, spokesperson for the ministry, stated that Afghanistan and Turkmenistan are actively working to resolve the legal challenges surrounding the TAPI project. He added, “A significant portion of the legal issues in Afghanistan has been resolved so far, and Afghanistan and Turkmenistan continue their joint efforts to address the remaining issues, paving the way for the project’s practical implementation.”
Amir Khan Muttaqi, Acting Foreign Minister of the Islamic Emirate, recently met with Khawaja Awadov, Ambassador of Turkmenistan to Kabul, discussing the resolution of issues related to the TAPI project.
Zia Ahmad Takal, Deputy Spokesperson for the ministry, said, “The Foreign Minister has expressed that Afghan parties are striving to resolve remaining issues of the TAPI project in Afghan territory to initiate practical work. Muttaqi mentioned that relevant Afghan authorities are finalizing all legal documents related to the project to facilitate its commencement.”
Economic experts emphasize that the initiation of the TAPI project in Afghanistan faces delays due to disinterest from involved countries. Ahmad Farid Arefi, an economic expert, pointed out that non-recognition of the Islamic Emirate and concerns about security in Afghanistan are major reasons for halting the project.
“The political change and lack of international recognition of the Islamic Emirate, coupled with doubts over the security of the project, have caused delays. Involved countries seek any excuse to delay the project due to its high costs,” he elaborated.
TAPI, a project aimed at transporting natural gas from Turkmenistan through Afghanistan to Pakistan and India, was inaugurated in 2016 by leaders of Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and India. However, regional obstacles and political changes in Afghanistan have prevented its practical implementation to date.
