Business & Economy

Turkmenistan’s foreign minister meets Taliban leadership in Kabul

Kabul, Oct 30 (EFE).- Turkmenistan’s foreign minister, Rasit Meredow, on Saturday arrived in Kabul to meet Taliban leaders and discuss bilateral economic ties, days after Afghanistan’s neigboring countries called for an inclusive government in the country.

“Leading a delegation, Turkmenistan’s Foreign Affairs Minister arrived at Kabul airport today morning, where he was welcomed by the Islamic Emirate’s foreign affairs Minister, Amir Khan Mutaqi,” Taliban spokesperson Bilal Karimi told EFE.

Another Taliban official told EFE on the condition of anonymity that the talks would be centered on “economic projects, trade, transit, exports and imports.”

The Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India gas pipeline project, launched by Turkmenistan in 2015 with the aim of transporting natural gas from its Galkynysh reserves to India, also figures on the agenda.

This is the first Kabul visit by the foreign minister of Turkmenistan – a country that exports gas, electricity, fuel and food to Afghanistan – after the Taliban takeover.

His arrival comes three days after Afghanistan’s neighbors said that an inclusive government was required in Kabul to ensure stability, at a conference in Tehran to discuss the Afghan situation.

The new Afghan administration does not include women and has few members from outside the Pashtun community – which forms the bulk of the Taliban ranks – with most of the minority representatives being given secondary or subordinate posts.

Since the Taliban seized full control of Afghanistan on Aug. 15 after a rapid offensive coinciding with the withdrawal of United States and NATO troop, only four foreign ministers have visited the country. EFE

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