Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi on Monday reiterated Pakistan’s interest in early completion of energy projects with Turkmenistan and appreciated the progress made on Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) project.  

The prime minister was talking to Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan Mr Rashid Meredov, who paid a courtesy call on him here.

The Turkmen foreign minister was accompanied by Mr Charymyrat Purchekov Minister of Energy, Mr Myrat Archayev, State Minister of Turkmen Gas and Mr Muhammetmyrat Amanov Chairman of the Board, CEO TAPI Pipeline Company Limited.

Foreign Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif was also present during the meeting.

The Turkmen foreign minister conveyed the greetings of President Gurbanguly Berdimuhammedov to the prime minister.

He briefed the prime minister on the present status of TAPI Gas Pipeline Project and other energy projects including proposals for electricity transmission line and fiber optic connectivity.

He invited Pakistani companies to participate in the tenders floated by Turkmenistan for TAPI. 

The foreign minister informed the prime minister of the Turkmen government’s policies that allowed foreign investors to invest in Turkmenistan.

In this regard, he said Turkmenistan government would welcome Pakistani participation in projects related to the petrochemical industry.  

The two sides also agreed to expedite connectivity projects between the two countries including roads and rail linkages to increase trade between the two brotherly countries.

The foreign minister 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, 2018 on the invitation of Foreign Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif to participate in the inaugural session of Pakistan-Turkmenistan Bilateral Political Consultations (BPC) held earlier today.