Informational briefing dedicated to the commissioning of international transport, energy and communication systems

16/01/2021

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Informational briefing dedicated to the commissioning of international transport, energy and communication systems

On January 16, 2021, the informational briefing dedicated to the commissioning of a 30-kilometer-long railway line between Akina-Andkhoy stations of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, 153 kilometres long power transmission line from the town of Kerki (Turkmenistan) to the town of Shibergan with a capacity of 500 kW, fiber-optic communication lines Imamnazar (Turkmenistan) – Akina (Afghanistan) and Serhetabat (Turkmenistan) - Turgundi (Afghanistan) has been held at the Institute of International Relations of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan.
The event was attended by the representatives of Turkmendemiryollary and Turkmenaragatnashyk agencies, the Ministry of Energy, foreign media, heads and representatives of diplomatic missions and representative offices of international organizations working in Turkmenistan, as well as rectors of the higher educational institutions, editors-in-chief of newspaper and magazines, representatives of the mass media and teaching staff of higher educational establishments.
During the briefing, Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of Turkmenistan, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan Rashid Meredov, Rector of the Institute of International Relations of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan Jumamyrat Gurbangeldiyev, advisor of the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan in Turkmenistan Ahmad Tariq Nurzade, Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Central Asia, Head of the UN Regional Center for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia Natalia German, the Head of the OSCE Centre in Ashgabat Natalya Drozd, Minister of Energy of Turkmenistan Charymyrat Purchekov, and Director of the Asian Development Bank's Permanent Representation in Turkmenistan Chang Ching Yu delivered speeches.
Speakers highlighted that a railway construction project from Turkmenistan to Afghanistan with the possibility of continuing it from the territory of Afghanistan is implemented on the initiative of our highly esteemed President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, and that these projects are aimed at expanding the transport infrastructure and providing integrated logistics services to the partners of the fraternal country. Moreover, speakers noted that Turkmenistan constructs railway in the territory of Afghanistan not only at the expense of its own resources, but also at the use its personnel and material resources - workers, engineers, road vehicles and cranes, construction materials, railway sleepers and others, that it will be more reliable and more efficient in transporting goods in railway transport system, that the construction of a new railway will be a stepping stone to new life in these parts of Afghanistan, and it will have a positive impact on resolving important social issues, including employment of the population, attracting of investment, and the situation in Afghanistan in general. It was particularly emphasized that steel road will promote trade between Afghanistan and Turkmenistan. According to an analysis by the Afghan Railways, the volume of freight will increase by 20 per cent in the first year and 50 per cent in the second year, which will lead to an increase in the speed of freight traffic, and create jobs.
During the informational briefing, it was noted that the commissioning of a 500 kW power transmission line is an important step in providing Afghanistan with reliable electricity. The importance of Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) gas pipeline, Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan (TAP) power transmission line, as well as fiber-optic communication lines along this route were also discussed at the informational briefing.
Exchange of opinions during the informational briefing, which was organized via a videoconference, led to a broadening of the views of the participants of the briefing on the new important projects. They found the answers to their questions. The fact that the briefing was active clearly demonstrate its importance, and this historical event was widely covered in mass media.