The Ministry of Mines and Petroleum announced the signing of a number of memoranda of understanding (MoUs) for the implementation of joint projects between Afghanistan and Turkmenistan.

The spokesman for the Ministry of Mines and Petroleum, Homayoun Afghan, said that these MoUs were signed in a meeting between officials of the two countries to carry out major projects such as the TAPI gas pipeline project, the 500-kilovolt electricity transmission line from Turkmenistan to Pakistan, the development of the Torghundi railway terminal, and the implementation of the Herat-Sanobar railway.

He added that during the meeting, titled "Turkmen-Afghan Joint Meeting; Good Neighborly Relations," hosted by the Foreign Minister of Turkmenistan in Ashgabat, discussions were also held on enhancing bilateral cooperation and the strategic position of Afghanistan and Turkmenistan in regional connectivity.

The spokesperson for the Ministry of Mines and Petroleum said: "At the end of these meetings, MoUs were signed between the two sides regarding the TAPI project, the implementation of the Herat-Sanobar railway, and the development of the Torghundi railway terminal."

A number of economic experts believe the signing of these MoUs an important step in strengthening relations between Kabul and Ashgabat.

"The TAPI project could bring Afghanistan $400 million dollars annually in transit fees," said Abdul Zuhor Mudaber, an economic expert.

"The TAPI project could contribute to Afghanistan's economic growth in a short period of three to five years," said Shams Rahman Ahmadi, another economic expert.

On Wednesday afternoon of last week, a delegation from the Ministries of Finance, Public Works, and Breshna Company, led by Hedayatullah Badri, the acting Minister of Mines and Petroleum, traveled to Ashgabat to commence the practical work of joint projects between Afghanistan and Turkmenistan.