On November 23, 2017, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed in Ashgabat between the Ministry of Railway Transport of Turkmenistan and the Administration of Afghanistan Railway Transport. The document, prepared in accordance with the instructions of the President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, provides for the overhaul of the railway line at the border station Turgundi in Afghanistan.
The new document is aimed at strengthening interaction and expanding transport infrastructure between our states, the possibilities of integrated transport services in the railway sector. The section from the Turkmen station Serhatabat to the Afghan point of Turgundi will be built anew and completely at the expense of Turkmenistan's own resources. In general, along with the access roads, it is necessary to build 13 kilometers of railway and equip modern infrastructure.
President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov pays special attention to the relations with the neighboring state, contributing to the creation of conditions for its sustainable development, full involvement in regional and global processes, and the establishment of lasting peace and harmony on the Afghan land. The fundamental aspect of the position of the Turkmen side is a firm conviction that it is possible to achieve a political settlement in Afghanistan exclusively by peaceful, diplomatic means.
As noted by the representatives of the Afghan side at the signing ceremony of the Memorandum, Afghanistan attaches special importance to relations with Turkmenistan, which are an example of good-neighborly cooperation and meet the interests of peace, security and prosperity. Representatives of the neighboring state expressed sincere gratitude to the Turkmen leader for his enormous contribution and active position in the issues of socio-economic restoration and peaceful settlement of the situation in Afghanistan.
The implementation of this project will create additional prerequisites for the development of the economy of Afghanistan, strengthening the role of small and medium-sized businesses in this country through the increase in freight turnover and the supply of various products. Thus, Afghanistan's transport network will be connected through the Turgundi border station to the railroad system of Turkmenistan with access to third countries, which will significantly increase the volume of interstate transportation in the region.
