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Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi on Tuesday said that the work on the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) gas pipeline project will begin in October this year and its first phase will be completed by 2022. Qureshi was speaking at a joint presser along with his Turkmen counterpart Rashid Meredov, which was telecasted by state-run television. He said that TAPI project will take the bilateral relations between Pakistan and Turkmenistan to the next level, adding that the project will not only be beneficial for both the countries, but it will also be helpful for the region in addressing the energy crisis.
Primarily, he said that the project is among the three countries - Turkmenistan, Afghanistan and Pakistan - while it will not be restricted and India could also join it at some stage.
"The good news is that the engineering design of the project has already been finalized and the bidding will take place in next two months...and construction work on the project [TAPI] will begin in October 2019 and its first phase will be completed by 2022," Qureshi said, adding that financing of the project was no more an issue as a number of international financial institutions have expressed interest to finance it.
He further said that there is a lot of potential to enhance bilateral trade and economic cooperation between the two countries, adding that one of the forums which can promote the bilateral cooperation is Pakistan-Turkmenistan Business Forum.
He said that the two sides have also agreed to form a Joint Working Group on Oil and Gas for explorations of oil and gas in both the countries, adding that the first meeting of the group will take place in Ashgabat on mutually convenient dates.
Qureshi said that the two sides also discussed the connectivity of Gwadar port with sea port of Turkmenistan. He said that the two sides also discussed the transportation and energy corridor.
Turkmen Foreign Minister Meredov who concluded his two-day visit to the country, said that he and his delegation held ''constructive'' exchanges with Pakistani leadership including Prime Minister, Foreign Minister, Minister for Oil and Gas as well as other concerned.
Besides various other initiatives, he said that the two sides agreed on a partnership in the framework of international organizations - United Nations - where the two countries will extend support to each other on important issues.
Earlier, Foreign Minister Qureshi and the Foreign Minister of Turkmenistan Rashid Meredov led their respective delegations to the 2nd round of Pakistan-Turkmenistan Bilateral Political Consultations (BPC), Foreign Office said.
Both the ministers took stock of various aspects of bilateral relations between the two countries and expressed their satisfaction over the current level of engagement.
Both sides stressed on further endeavours to enhance bilateral economic relations through joint ventures in mutually identified areas particularly agriculture, textile, livestock and IT sectors.
The duo also emphasized the need for specific measures to ensure greater connectivity through road, rail and air linkages in order to promote trade, tourism and people-to-people contacts between the two friendly countries.
They also underscored the importance of TAPI Gas Pipeline Project and agreed to ensure its early implementation.
Both sides also reviewed implementation of the decisions taken during the inaugural round of BPC held in Islamabad in January, 2018 and expressed commitment to enhance high-level engagements in the days to come.
Qureshi briefed his counterpart on the prevailing security situation in South Asia, highlighting the aggressive and irresponsible attitude of India.
During the visit Foreign Minister Meredov paid courtesy call on the President and Prime Minister. He also met with ministers for finance, petroleum, energy, governor State Bank and chairman Board of Investment (BOI) and discussed issues related to cooperation in energy and economic sectors.
Memoranda of understanding were signed to enhance cooperation between the Foreign Ministries of the two countries and their diplomatic institutions. A protocol was signed to amend an enforced agreement for cooperation between the Foreign Ministries of Pakistan and Turkmenistan.
The Host Government Agreement for TAPI Gas Pipeline Project was signed. In order to enhance trade and commercial linkages, an MoU was also signed on the establishment of Pak-Turkmen Joint Business Council (JBC).
"The visit of the Foreign Minister of Turkmenistan will help in building a strong economic partnership between Pakistan and Turkmenistan," the Foreign Office said.
Foreign Minister Rashid Meredov arrived in Islamabad on Monday for talks with Pakistani leadership on bilateral and regional issues. He was received by high-ranking officials of the Foreign Ministry on his arrival.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2019

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