ASHGABAT. May 30 (Interfax) - Turkmenistan is ready to assist the economic and cultural revival of Afghanistan, Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow told Afghan President Hamid Karzai in Ashgabat.
The chiefs of state discussed bilateral cooperation and singled out trade, economic relations, fuel and energy, electric power, transport, humanitarian affairs and culture as priorities, the Turkmen media said on Sunday.
"Afghanistan is our closest neighbor and an important partner," Berdimuhamedow said. Being an advocate of peace and accord in Afghanistan, Turkmenistan will continue to provide full support to the efforts targeted for prosperous and safe living of the fraternal people of Afghanistan, primarily, with political, diplomatic, trade, economic and humanitarian methods, he said.
The negotiations centered on the construction of a gas pipeline between Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan and India (TAPI). The sides said that thanks to its advantageous geographic position Turkmenistan has a large transit potential.
The media said that the Turkmen leader dwelt on the construction of a 150-kilometer railroad, Atamurat-Ymamnazar-Akina-Andhoi, from Turkmenistan to Afghanistan.
The delivery of Turkmen electric power was also highlighted at the negotiations.
The Turkmen president described the negotiations as successful and fruitful.