ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, on Monday, reiterated Pakistan’s interest in the early completion of energy projects with Turkmenistan and appreciated the progress made on the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) project.
The prime minister said this while talking to the Turkmenistan Foreign Minister Rashid Meredov, who paid a courtesy call on him here.
The Turkmen foreign minister was accompanied by Energy Minister Charymyrat Purchekov, State Minister of Gas Myrat Archayev, and TAPI Pipeline CEO Muhammetmyrat Amanov.
Pakistan Foreign Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif was also present during the meeting.
Meredov briefed the Pakistan prime minister on the present status of TAPI Gas Pipeline Project and other energy projects including the proposals for electricity transmission lines and fiber optic connectivity.
He invited Pakistani companies to participate in the tenders floated by Turkmenistan for TAPI.
The foreign minister informed the Pakistan prime minister of the Turkmen government’s foreign investment-friendly policies.
In this regard, he said that the Turkmenistan government will welcome Pakistani participation in the projects related to the petrochemical industry.
The two sides also agreed to expedite connectivity projects between the two countries including roads and rail linkages in order to increase trade between the two countries.
The Turkmen foreign minister also invited the prime minister to visit Turkmenistan at his earliest convenience, which the prime minister accepted.
Foreign Minister Meredov is visiting Islamabad from January 15-16, on the invitation of Khawaja Muhammad Asif to participate in the inaugural session of Pakistan-Turkmenistan Bilateral Political Consultations (BPC) held earlier today.
