DUSAHNABE – Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov and his Tajik counterpart Emomali Rahmon have discussed construction of railways in Afghanistan within the context of using transportation potential of Central Asia, Caspian and Black Sea regions.

Central Asia is becoming more connected through infrastructure – which includes roads, bridges, electrical transmission grids, railways and pipelines – to connect energy, goods, services, and people. President Berdimuhamedov said that realization of the railway project would be a step towards restoration of socio-economic infrastructure of Afghanistan and boost its economy.

Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Afghanistan have formalized a Cross-Border Transport Agreement. Afghanistan and Pakistan are also working to implement a transit trade agreement which will reduce trade costs and transport delays, and now Turkmenistan, too, is considering entering into a Cross-Border Transport Agreement with Afghanistan.

Afghanistan’s role in TAPI is especially significant. As NATO forces transfer full security responsibility to the Afghan National Security Forces by the end of 2014 and Afghanistan adjusts to lower levels of military spending and foreign aid, the energy and transportation corridors connecting South Asia and Eurasia via Afghanistan will play an increasingly important role for the economic future of Afghanistan and the region.