President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov had a telephone conversation with President of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan Mohammad Ashraf Ghani.

Greeting each other, the heads of the two states expressed satisfaction with the opportunity to discuss the status and prospects of interstate dialogue. Presidents Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov and Mohammad Ashraf Ghani congratulated on the occasion of the holy Oraza Bayramy, and addressed the wishes of peace and prosperity to the peoples of Turkmenistan and Afghanistan.

Expressing satisfaction with the progressive dynamics of cooperation, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov said that Turkmenistan highly appreciated and attached particular importance to the comprehensive development of interstate relations.

Underlining the productive character of partnership in the trade, economic, fuel, energy, transport and communication spheres, the parties emphasized that at present, with the participation of the two countries, joint large projects were implemented in these areas. The construction of the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) transnational gas pipeline, a high-voltage power line and fiber-optic communication along the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan route were specified as illustrative examples.

Special emphasis was paid to the importance of the Lapis Lazuli transit transport corridor, created within the framework of the Agreement signed between Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Georgia and Turkey. In this context, Presidents Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov and Mohammad Ashraf Ghani expressed confidence that the successful implementation of this project would significantly contribute to the development of interregional trade and economic relations.

Continuing the conversation, the interlocutors expressed satisfaction with the creation of new transport and energy corridors, aimed at achieving sustainable development of the region and the world.

President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov emphasized that implementation of these projects would bring the countries closer together, become a bridge of friendship and brotherhood between peoples, create broad opportunities for the further development of their economies, and contribute to improving the well-being of the people of Afghanistan. The President of Turkmenistan expressed belief that potential for cooperation would serve as a reliable basis for strengthening interaction between Turkmenistan and the IRA.

On behalf of the Afghan people, President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani expressed deep gratitude to the Turkmen leader for fraternal solidarity and active support in the stable development of the neighboring state, economic and humanitarian assistance. According to the IRA leader, Afghanistan sincerely valued good-neighborly relations with Turkmenistan and highly appreciated the peaceful foreign policy pursued by President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, which is an important factor in maintaining stability, peace and security in the region.

Discussing the prospects for the development of traditional cooperation, the heads of the two states focused on the possibilities for building up cooperation in a wide range of areas.

At the end of the conversation, the interlocutors once again exchanged congratulations on the occasion of the holy Oraza Bayramy, addressing the wishes of peace, well-being and prosperity to the fraternal peoples of friendly countries.

Presidents Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov and Mohammad Ashraf Ghani expressed confidence that the interstate dialogue would continue to expand in all areas, relying on the traditions of friendship, good neighborliness, and mutual goodwill.