Deputy PM for Economic Affairs Meets the National Leader of Turkmenistan on the Recent Progress and Future Activities of the TAPI Project

During his visit to Herat Province, the Deputy PM for Economic Affairs, Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar Akhund, met today, Monday, August 10, 2026, with the National Leader of Turkmenistan, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, at Torghundi in Herat Province to discuss the recent progress of the TAPI project and future joint economic activities between Afghanistan and Turkmenistan.

Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar Akhund welcomed Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov and expressed his satisfaction at sharing the progress of the TAPI project in Herat Province. He noted that work on the project is progressing well in Herat and expressed hope that the remaining activities would be completed within the scheduled timeframe.

Deputy PM Mullah Baradar Akhund requested that the two countries reach an agreement on gas pricing and that the pricing formula be revised in a way that would prevent severe fluctuations in European markets from significantly affecting gas prices. He further stated that the agreement should be concluded for the long term, contain simplified conditions, and include a flexible review mechanism.

The Deputy PM also called for Turkmen cooperation in establishing a gas distribution and consumption network in Herat Province, creating a joint technical and legal commission to resolve the remaining issues of the TAPI project, and making joint efforts to create more employment opportunities for Afghans within the project.

He stated that TAPI has further strengthened the strategic partnership between Afghanistan and Turkmenistan and that both sides should work jointly to increase trade by reopening the Aqina border crossing for oil transit, facilitating Afghan transit goods at Turkmenbashi Port, resolving existing obstacles to the reactivation of the Lapis Lazuli Corridor, and rehabilitating and expanding the Herat–Torghundi railway network. He also requested Turkmenistan’s support for major economic projects in Afghanistan in the fields of electricity and transportation.

Subsequently, the National Leader of Turkmenistan, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, delivered remarks. He stated that relations between Turkmenistan and Afghanistan have been strengthened on the basis of goodwill and good neighborliness, creating opportunities for cooperation in various sectors. He added that, in addition to extending the TAPI pipeline to Herat Province, Turkmenistan is ready to establish a gas distribution network in Herat and to begin practical implementation of the TAP project. He also noted that several foreign companies have expressed readiness to invest in the TAP project.

Berdimuhamedov further stated that Ashgabat is prepared to provide all necessary facilities for Afghan transit and commercial goods at Turkmenbashi Port. He also emphasized joint efforts to activate the Lapis Lazuli Corridor in order to increase trade between the two countries and the wider region. He assured the Afghan side that the ongoing electricity and railway projects in Afghanistan would be completed on schedule and with accelerated implementation.

At the conclusion of the meeting, both sides agreed to establish a technical committee under the leadership of senior officials to follow up and implement the TAPI, TAP, fiber-optic, and railway projects, in order to ensure their effective progress.