Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, Dec.1
By Huseyn Hasanov- Trend:
Various areas of cooperation between Turkmenistan and the UN were discussed during a meeting with UN Special Representative for Afghanistan Nicholas Haysom at Turkmen Foreign Ministry, a message from Turkmen government said Dec.1.
The discussions touched upon the cooperation between Turkmenistan and UN in strengthening the security and stability in the region, joint contribution in ensuring sustainable economic development in Afghanistan.
The high-ranking guest praised Turkmenistan's position on the Afghan problem and expressed gratitude to Turkmen side for its economic assistance to Afghanistan, especially in supplying electricity and development of the country's transport infrastructure.
"As it was noted during the meeting, with its neutral status Turkmenistan will continue rendering every assistance and support to neighboring Afghanistan," said the message. "Turkmen and Afghan peoples are bound by centuries-old traditions of friendship and cooperation."
Turkmenistan has a long border with Afghanistan and Central Asian countries regularly host events in the border security sphere under the auspices of the UN. The possible consequences of reducing the international forces for ensuring regional security in Afghanistan has become one of the key issues.
A large-scale project that would see the construction of a gas pipeline to India and Pakistan for the supply of Turkmen gas is related to Afghan territory. Observers believe that its implementation could contribute to the reconstruction of Afghanistan, since it will create jobs and provide the country with a guaranteed income for transit.
Turkmenistan supplies electricity, paves railroad to the neighboring state and builds schools and hospitals in the border provinces of Afghanistan on concessional conditions.
Edited by CN