Afghanistan-Turkmenistan Railway Development Agreement To Be Signed Soon, Says Taliban

The Taliban cited Mammetkhan Chakiyev, the General Director of the Transport and Communications Agency of Turkmenistan’s Cabinet of Ministers, as saying that there are plans to sign a railway agreement between Afghanistan and Turkmenistan soon.

According to the Taliban, Turkmenistan will increase the "capacity of the Torghundi Port railway" and start its reconstruction.

Radio Television Afghanistan (RTA), controlled by the Taliban, reported that Taliban’s Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi held a meeting with Chakiуev on Tuesday. They discussed enhancing transfers between Afghanistan and Turkmenistan, boosting the capacity of the Torghundi port's railway line, and facilitating Afghan businessmen at the Turkmenbashi port.

Muttaqi visited Turkmenistan on Monday at the invitation of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan.

During the meeting with Chakiуev, Muttaqi discussed the development of the Lapis Lazuli Route. He sought the collaboration of Turkmenistan and partner countries to explore the feasibility of constructing this route.

As per the Taliban statement, the Turkmen official underscored the significance of the Lapis Lazuli Road and stressed on the need for a meeting among the five countries involved in this route.

Previously, the Taliban's Foreign Ministry had announced an agreement with Turkmenistan to convene a meeting in Ashgabat for the development of the Lapis Lazuli Route.

In 2018, the "Lapis Lazuli Route" agreement was signed among five countries, to establish a route from Afghanistan to Turkey through Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan, and Georgia.