Ceremonial events on occasion of the launch of new construction phase of Turkmenistan Afghanistan Pakistan India gas line (TAPI) and power and fibre optic lines Turkmenistan Afghanistan Pakistan as well as opening o Serhetabat Turgundy railroad were held in Serhetabat etrap, Mary Velayat.
President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov and President of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan Mohammad Ashraf Ghani, Prime Minister of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan Shahid Hakan Abbasi and State Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of India Mabashar Javed Akbar who arrived in our country took part in the ceremonies.
In the morning, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov left Mary by helicopter for the place of ceremonial events in Serhetabat etrap.After the flight, the helicopter landed at special helipad.
After, President of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan Mohammad Ashraf Ghani, the Prime Minister of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and the State Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of India arrived in the place of events .
President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov and high-rank guests proceeded to the ceremony staging place.Exhibition symbolically dedicated to the Great Silk Road was organized at the same place.Its exhibits allow getting visual impression of original traditions and customs, rich culture of the nations of four countries participating in TAPI project, which territories this ancient trade route used to cross.
The exposition of our country bears the slogan of this year “Turkmenistan the Heart of the Great Silk Road” and gives an opportunity to familiarize with the history of legendary path that run across Turkmen land, which is told by the map presented there.
The displays introduce world known historical and cultural monuments of Turkmenistan located along the Great Silk Road as well as the samples of applied art including beautiful jewelleries and famous Turkmen carpets.
Thematic paintings, works of national handcrafts masters demonstrating their skills in production of national dress and headdress, felt mats, wooden souvenirs, ceramic and copper items, horse harness encrusted with silver, musical instruments, etc.
have been presented at the exhibition.The showrooms of Pakistan demonstrated decorative and applied art items including the samples of traditional painting and musical instruments.The exhibits of Pakistani partners also allow getting the impression on natural places of interests of friendly country.
The exposition of Afghanistan is mainly represented by the northern province of Herat.Souvenirs, samples of national painting art, original works of the artists and other were demonstrated there.
The carpets especially those made by the representatives of Turkmen diaspora in Herat attract greatest attention.The President of Turkmenistan and high-rank guests looked around the exhibition with the great interest.
Masters of arts prepared their artistic gift on occasion of remarkable events and enthusiastically performed bright sing and dance composition.The President of Turkmenistan, the President of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, the Prime Minister of Pakistan and the State Foreign Minister of the Republic of India went inside the building where numerous participants of the ceremony have been gathered in the conference hall.
There were the Chairperson of the Mejlis, Deputy Chairmen of the Cabinet of Ministers, leaders of military and law enforcement agencies, ministries and departments, non-governmental organizations.The heads of diplomatic missions accredited in our country, delegations of number of the states, representatives of competent international financial structures including Asian and Islamic Development banks, business circles, foreign and national ass media were also among the participants.
Welcoming high-rank guests and all the participants in ancient Turkmen land, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov highlighted that the construction of Afghan part of TAPI pipeline, which is to serve for the sake of fundamental interests of fraternal nations of the region would be launched as well as foundation stone of 500 KWt power line and fibre optic line Turkmenistan Afghanistan Pakistan would be laid.
Having congratulated the participants on the launch of the above-mentioned facilities, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov expressed the confidence that implementation of such significant projects would be another important step toward further consolidation of beneficial friendly relations of independent neutral Turkmenistan with the states of the world.
Having informed that it is planned to open new Turkmenbashy International Seaport soon, the President of Turkmenistan taking an opportunity invited the participants of the events to the opening ceremony.
After, President of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan Mohammad Ashraf Ghani, Prime Minister of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan Shahid Hakan Abbasi and State Foreign Minister of the Republic of India Mobashar Javed Akbar addressed the participants of the ceremony.
After the speeches the documents signing ceremony took place.The following documents have been signed:Intergovernmental Agreement on Electrical Power Turkmenistan Afghanistan Pakistan between the Government of Turkmenistan, the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan and the Government of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan;The General Conditions of the Agreement with the Government of Receiving State on Turkmenistan Afghanistan Pakistan India pipeline project.
Later in the ceremony, President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov gave start to the construction of Afghan part of Turkmenistan Afghanistan Pakistan India pipeline and power and fibre optic lines Turkmenistan Afghanistan Pakistan as well as opened new railroad Serhetabat Turgundy by direct TV bridge.
The participants watched with the interest the welding together two steel pipes of another part of TAPI energy route, start of construction of power and fibre optic cables carried out using special machinery and equipment.
After, the participants of the events witnesses of the first train leaving border Turkmen station Serhetabat for neighbouring Afghanistan, Herat Province.After the ceremony, the official photographing of the President of Turkmenistan, the President of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, the Prime Minister of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and the State Foreign Minister of the Republic of India took place on the background of the State Flags of four countries.
After, the Heads of Turkmenistan and Afghanistan, the Prime Minister of Pakistan and the State Foreign Minister of India left Serhetabat etrap for Afghan city Herat where the ceremony was continued.
Congress Centre Möwlana Jelaletdin Balh was the place of celebration events where at the main entrance, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov was welcomed by President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani.Having shaken hands, the leaders of two countries entered the hall of the building and traditionally were photographed on the background of the State Flags of Turkmenistan and Afghanistan.
Joint photographing of the heads of the delegation of the background of the State Flags of participating countries has also taken place before the start of the event.Welcoming high-rank guests and all participants of the ceremony on Afghan land, the President of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan highlighted that ancient city Herat witnessed the historical events that are important not only for Afghanistan but also for entire region and future generations.
Having noted that after completion of the construction of TAPI, connecting corridor between our countries would be made, Mohamad Ashraf Ghani expressed the confidence that Afghan youth would also take active part in the project.
Afghanistan places a lot of hope on the realization of big projects initiated by Turkmenistan in energy, transport and communication spheres that bring the progress and prosperity to the region.
In this regard, the Head of neighbouring state expressed sincere gratitude to President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov for constant support and help in peaceful restoration of Afghanistan, having highlighted that Afghan people highly appreciate this fact and value the friendship with fraternal Turkmen nation.
The floor was given to the Head of Turkmenistan.Addressing the participants of the ceremony, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov expressed sincere gratitude to his Afghan colleague Mohammad Ashraf Ghani for the hospitality and high level of organization of this event.
The launch of construction of the next phase of TAPI pipeline, power and fibre optic line between Turkmenistan, Afghanistan and Pakistan, Serhetabat Turgundy railroad visually demonstrate responsible approach of all member states of these projects, their foresight, consent, commitment to their obligations, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov noted.
These projects open new opportunities for further activation and expansion of international cooperation, attraction of other countries, world economic unions and financial organizations and business communities to this work.
All of these serves as visual confirmation of successful practical realization of common strategic purpose active integration of our states to the world economy in continental and global scales.
Mentioning great importance of current events for Afghanistan, the President expressed firm confidence that opening of such important facilities would give strong impulse to economic development of neighbouring country and to revival of its industrial and social infrastructure.
The Head of Turkmenistan noted that Central and South Asian is the space for active international economic cooperation.These are the territories, through which ancient trade routes connecting Europe and Asia used to run for many centuries.
At present time, the states of these regions occupy important positions in the intensification of global economic partnership, which main parts are composed by energy and transport spheres.Realization of the projects in these directions opens colossal perspectives for optimization of transport and energy relations in Eurasian space.
The projects of Turkmenistan Afghanistan Pakistan India pipeline, Turkmenistan Afghanistan Pakistan power and fibre optic lines as well as Serhetabat Turgundy railroad turn into fundamental geopolitical condition.Their realization will make big positive effect on general situation in Asia and beyond its borders, having turned into the factor of the provision of sustainable development and security in the region.
Turkmen leader highlighted that current events are very important for our state as energy, transport and communications projects that just have started would support rapid development of the economies of Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan and India.
Greeting the participants, Prime Minister of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan Shahid Hakan Abbasi congratulated the participants of the ceremony and nations of four countries on current remarkable event the launch of construction of Afghan part of TAPI pipeline, having highlighted the historical significance of the implementation of this large energy projects for the provision of peace, stability and sustainable development in the region.
Having emphasized that this project would be some sort of messenger of the beginning of new age in the history of the region, the Prime Minister of Pakistan addressed special congratulations to Afghan people.
Having expressed the gratitude to President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov and President of Afghanistan Mohammad Ashraf Ghani for the hospitality and high organizational level of the ceremonies, Prime Minister Shahid Hakan Abbasi assured them in the commitment of Pakistan to its partnership obligations.
The floor was given to the State Minister of Foreign Affairs of the republic of India who, having congratulated the participants of the ceremony on the start of the construction of another phase of TAPI pipeline, power and fibre optic lines as well as on the opening of new railroad, highlighted that these events vividly indicate dynamic long-term character of interstate partnership.
India attaches great importance to this large-scale project, expressing the interest in supplies of gas and providing reliable market for it as well as to other infrastructural projects, which are important for all countries of the region, especially for Afghanistan, Mobashar Javed Akbar said.
Mobashar Javed Akbar expressed the confidence that joint efforts of participating countries will result in successful completion of the project and would be visual example of goodwill of the sides and efficient and equal cooperation.
Teleconference connecting the Congress Centre with the construction site where Afghan specialist started the construction of Afghan part of transnational energy route took place afterwards.Video about the opening of recently built railroad Serhetabat Turgundy with departure of the first train was demonstrated after the teleconference.
In the end, having said warm goodbye to his Afghan colleague and high-rank guests and shared best wishes to friendly states and nations, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov went to the helipad and left Herat for Mary Velayat.