Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Andrei Rudenko at a working meeting on December 14 in Tashkent substantively discussed with the Russian ambassadors in Central Asia (Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan) the implementation of the tasks set by President Vladimir Putin for the Russian diplomatic service, the country's Foreign Ministry reports .
“The current situation in the region and the influence of neighboring and large non-regional states on it has been analyzed. The meeting participants discussed the results of work to promote Russian foreign policy priorities in line with strategic privileged partnership and alliance with the Central Asian states, ”the Foreign Ministry said.
The Russian side noted its commitment to constructive, trusting interaction to create favorable conditions for security and stability in the region.
“Topical tasks of interaction with partners in the CIS, EAEU, CSTO and SCO were considered. Attention was drawn to the great potential for further deepening trade, economic and investment cooperation with the countries of the region. The need for diplomatic support of bilateral projects in this area, which are of great importance for Russia and Central Asia, was emphasized, ”the ministry stressed.
The parties also discussed in detail "new challenges and threats" for the countries of the region, taking into account the current situation in Afghanistan and possible prospects for its development.
Source: Chronicles of Turkmenistan
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Turkmenistan sends wheat to Afghanistan, notes improvement in security situation
A humanitarian cargo from Turkmenistan arrived in Afghanistan on December 14, the Foreign Ministry of Turkmenistan reports .
On December 10, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov ordered to transfer the products of textile enterprises, the Ministry of Agriculture and oil refineries to the Afghan side free of charge.
As a result, the cargo with a total weight of 1200 tons included textile products, food products, as well as 20 tanks of oil products.
As the publication Ariana news clarifies , Turkmenistan sent wheat, clothing, gasoline, liquefied gas to Afghanistan for a total of $ 1.2 million.
From the Afghan side, assistance was received by Deputy Foreign Minister of Afghanistan Sher Muhammad Abbas Stanikzai , khyakim of Herat province Nur Ahmad Islamjar .
At the end of the ceremony of presenting the humanitarian aid, a sadaqa was given in the mosque in the Akina village, built with the support of the Turkmen side, and in the Turgundi village of Afghanistan.
The Foreign Ministry did not specify who represented the Turkmen side, but as Interfax-Azerbaijan reported with reference to Taliban Foreign Ministry spokesman Abdul Kahar Balkhi , on that day, Deputy Foreign Minister of Turkmenistan Vepa Khadzhiyev met with Abbas Stanikzai on the Turkmen-Afghan border .
Stanekzai stated that relations between Afghanistan and Turkmenistan have always been friendly and that the Afghan government is ready to start work on TAPI, TAP and rail projects.
"Vepa Khadzhiyev welcomed the improvement in the security situation in Afghanistan, adding that new events can contribute to the development of trade and transit between the two countries," Kakhar Balkhi said.
Since the seizure of power in Afghanistan in August 2021, representatives of the Taliban have regularly met with representatives of Turkmenistan on the construction of the TAPI gas pipeline. The implementation of the project can bring $ 500 million annually to Afghanistan, which is in a severe economic crisis , for gas transit through its territory.
On November 21, a meeting of members of the Afghan government with Turkmen diplomats was held in Afghanistan . During the talks, Acting Minister of Mines and Oil of Afghanistan, Mohammad Isa, called on the Turkmen side to allocate funds for the construction of TAPI, a fiber-optic communication line, TAP power transmission line and a railway.
On November 25, Pakistan's Federal Minister for Economic Affairs Omar Ayub Khan announced that the implementation of TAPI has been suspended due to the unstable situation in Afghanistan. “After stabilizing the situation, we will be able to return to the construction issue,” the official said.
Source: Chronicles of Turkmenistan