Pakistan

PM Nawaz embarks on Turkmenistan trip today

Will also attend an international conference to celebrate Turkmenistan’s permanent neutrality

Our Correspondent December 12, 2015

PHOTO: AFP

ISLAMABAD:

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif will proceed today (Saturday) on a two-day visit to the Central Asian state of Turkmenistan, where he will participate in the ground breaking ceremony of Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (Tapi) gas pipeline.

Tapi is a proposed natural gas pipeline that will transport Caspian Sea natural gas from Turkmenistan through Afghanistan into Pakistan and then onward to India. Construction on the project is scheduled to start on December 13 (Saturday). Through this project, Pakistan will be able to import 1325 mmcfd natural gas and ease also its own energy deficit.

Nawaz pushes Turkmenistan to fast track implementation of TAPI

Hosted by Turkmenistan President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, the event will also be attended by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Afghanistan’s President Ashraf Ghani.

According to an official statement, “the PM’s visit will highlight the importance that Pakistan attaches to the Tapi Gas Pipeline Project and its commitment to its early completion.”

During the visit, Premier Nawaz will also attend an international conference being convened in Ashgabat to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Turkmenistan’s permanent neutrality. A number of heads of states have confirmed to attend the conference.

Work on TAPI to start by December

The prime minister’s visit – undertaken on the invitation of the Turkmen president –will provide a good opportunity for Pakistan to re-affirm its support for Turkmenistan’s long-standing policy of permanent neutrality, said the statement.

In his bilateral interactions with the Turkmen president, the prime minister will share Pakistan’s perspective on important developments impinging on peace and security in the region.

“He will also reiterate Pakistan’s keen desire to sustain and expand bilateral cooperation in trade, energy and defence with Turkmenistan,” it said. Nawaz Sharif will also hold a bilateral meeting with Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 12^th, 2015.

COMMENTS (1)

Talking Point | 8 years ago | Reply India is being represented by its Vice President Ansari and not its PM NaMo. Clearly shows how much India is optimistic about the outcome. Also looks like Ghani would be busy with his problems in Kabul.

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