Kabul: The first trilateral meeting between Afghanistan, Turkmenistan, and Turkey has taken place in Kabul to initiate the practical implementation of the TAP-500 electricity project.
Representatives from Turkmenistan and a Turkish company attended the discussions aimed at advancing the high-voltage power transmission initiative.
The TAP-500 project is designed to transport electricity from Turkmenistan to Pakistan through Afghanistan, passing through the provinces of Herat, Farah, Helmand, and Kandahar. According to Afghanistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, this project will not only provide power to certain Afghan provinces but will also generate substantial transit revenue for the country’s caretaker government.
Zia Ahmad Takal, head of public relations at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, announced that a joint secretariat involving various ministries will be established to oversee and coordinate the project's implementation. He emphasized that both Turkmenistan and Turkey are committed to ensuring the project reaches completion.
The meeting, hosted by Afghanistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, included discussions between the Ministry of Water and Energy, Breshna Company, and Turkmenistan’s Ministry of Energy. The agenda focused on the project's practical execution and developing a clear roadmap.
In parallel, the Turkmen delegation engaged in separate meetings with Afghanistan’s acting Minister of Energy and Water, as well as the head of Breshna Company, to strengthen cooperation and enhance coordination efforts for the project’s initiation.
Hikmatullah Maiwandi, spokesperson for Breshna Company, highlighted the meeting’s objective: "This session was dedicated to expanding collaboration and facilitating the launch of the TAP project within Afghanistan."
Amanullah Ghalib, former head of Breshna Company, noted that the project had previously faced obstacles from Pakistan, delaying its implementation. However, Afghanistan and Turkmenistan are now working toward launching the first phase within Afghan territory, which is expected to provide economic benefits to the country.
Ghalib further underscored the significance of the TAP-500 project, stating that it would facilitate Turkmenistan's electricity transit to Pakistan while supplying power to Afghan provinces such as Herat and Kandahar.
The TAP-500 project, alongside the TAPI gas pipeline initiative, represents a major regional infrastructure development effort. Although the project had been agreed upon under the previous Afghan government, its practical implementation had not begun. The recent meeting signals a renewed commitment to turning the agreement into reality.
