Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, Jan. 18
By Huseyn Hasanov – Trend:
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Turkmenistan Rashid Meredov met with Foreign Minister of India Sushma Swaraj in New Delhi, the Turkmen Foreign Ministry said in a message.
During the meeting, the parties touched upon the implementation of the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) gas pipeline project and luring financial resources by big donors, including both private and state-owned ones.
Meredov said at the meeting that in connection with the transition of TAPI to an active phase of the implementation, it is necessary for the Indian side to consider the issue of creating a representative office of TAPI Project Ltd in New Delhi for the prompt resolution of emerging issues.
Meanwhile, the two sides discussed the need to hold the next ministerial meeting as part of the TAPI Steering Committee as soon as possible, according to the message.
Moreover, during the meeting, an invitation was presented from President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov to President of India Ram Nath Kovind to take part in solemn events related to the launch of construction of the next stage of the TAPI gas pipeline on Feb. 23.
Turkmenistan started to construct its TAPI section in December 2015. The foundation laying ceremony for the Afghan section of the TAPI gas pipeline is planned to be held in the second half of February 2018.
Earlier, the Asian Development Bank, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development and the Japanese government expressed their interest in financing TAPI.
The Islamic Development Bank has already allocated a loan worth $700 million for Turkmenistan to construct its TAPI section.