27 февраля 2020 года в Министерстве иностранных дел Туркменистана состоялся Туркмено-афганский бизнес-форум. С туркменской стороны в форуме приняли участие руководители и представители ряда министерств и ведомств страны, включая Союз промышленников и предпринимателей, а также Торгово-промышленную палату. Среди участников представительной делегации Афганистана, специалисты … [Read more...]
Turkmen-Afghan Business Forum held in Ashgabat
On the 27th of February 2020, Turkmen-Afghan Business Forum was held in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan. From the Turkmen side, the heads and representatives of a number of ministries and agencies of the country, including the Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry participated to the Forum. Among the participants … [Read more...]
Afghanistan – At the threshold of lasting peace, or brink of insane violence?
Tariq Saeedi After more than 18 months of off-again, on-again negotiations, the Taliban and the USA could possibly sign the peace accord on 29 February 2020. Although the terms of the deal have not been made public officially, it is possible to guess some of the details based on the information from the various Taliban sources: There will be 7 days of peace from 22 to … [Read more...]
Turkmenistan establishes Office for International Electric Power Projects
Turkmenistan has established the Office of International Electric Power Projects. The decision was taken on Thursday when President Berdimuhamedov had a meeting with DPM Charymurat Purchekov (construction, energy) and the minister for energy, Murat Artykov. The newly established authority will initially supervise the implementation of TAP500, and subsequently explore and … [Read more...]
Afghanistan – The simplified picture
Tariq Saeedi A simplified picture would perhaps be of some help in making sense of what happened to the US-Taliban peace talks, and where it might lead. For starters, we should recognize that the nine rounds of talks in Doha, that started nearly a year ago, were not aimed at peace in Afghanistan. At best, they can be described as prelude to any attempt for peace. It was … [Read more...]
Афганистан – упрощенная картина
Тарик Саиди Упрощенная картина, возможно, поможет разобраться в том, что произошло с мирными переговорами между США и талибами, и к чему это может привести. Во-первых, мы должны признать, что девять раундов переговоров в Дохе, стартовавшие почти год назад, не были направлены на достижение мира в Афганистане. В лучшем случае их можно охарактеризовать как прелюдию к любой … [Read more...]
Kazakhstan hosted a meeting of foreign ministers of Central Asian countries + USA
Elvira Kadyrova The chief foreign policy makers of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and USA gathered in Nur-Sultan on 21 August 2019 for the next round of the high-level meeting in format "C5+1". The meeting was attended by: Minister of foreign affairs of Kazakhstan, Beybut Atamkulov Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers, minister … [Read more...]
100th Anniversary of Independence of Afghanistan celebrated in Turkmenistan
Ambassador Meerwais Nab of Afghanistan hosted a reception on 19 August 2019 in Ashgabat to mark the 100th anniversary of the independence of Afghanistan. Here is the speech of Ambassador Nab on the occasion: In the Name of Allah the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful. Your Excellency Mr. Chakiyev Mammethan Berdymyradovich Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers … [Read more...]
Central Asian countries discussed cooperation to combat drug trafficking
Elvira Kadyrova On 3 May 2019, Tashkent hosted 11thministerial meeting of the States Parties to the Memorandum of Understanding on Sub-regional drug control cooperation in Central Asia. The following key speakers attended the gathering: Sergey Lavrov, minister of foreign affairs of the Russian Federation Sirozhiddin Muhriddin, minister of foreign affairs of … [Read more...]
Turkmenistan-Afghanistan Summit Talks: Strategic Partnership Agreement, other documents signed; joint statement issued
nCa Report The summit talks between President Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov and President Ashraf Ghani of Afghanistan took place on Thursday morning at the Ruhiyet Palace in Ashgabat. The presidents inked the strategic partnership agreement and endorsed a joint statement. Eight other documents were signed. Berdymuhamedov and Ghani spoke briefly to the media about the … [Read more...]
Lapis Lazuli corridor: test freight convoy leaves Afghanistan for Turkmenistan
Elvira Kadyrova On 13 December 2018 the first freight convoy loaded with export goods of Afghanistan, destined for European countries, left Herat via the route of the Lapis Lazuli transport and transit corridor for Turkmenistan. The ceremony of sending off the commodity pilot convoy was attended by the President of Afghanistan, Ashraf Ghani, the representative … [Read more...]
Лазуритовый коридор: из Афганистана в Туркменистан направился тестовый грузовой конвой
Эльвира Кадырова 13 декабря 2018 года афганского Герата по маршруту Лазуритового транспортно-транзитного коридора в направлении Туркменистана выехали первые грузовики, загруженные экспортными товарами Афганистана, конечным пунктом назначения которых станут европейские страны. В церемонии отправки пилотного товарного каравана принял участие Президент ИРА АшрафГани, … [Read more...]
Turkmenistan: Meeting with US Special Representative for Afghanistan
On December11, 2018, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan R. Meredov, held talks with the delegation of the United States of America led by the US Special Representative for Afghanistan, Zalmay Khalilzad. During the meeting, noting the positive results of joint cooperation in enhancing bilateral relations between Turkmenistan and the United States of America, … [Read more...]
Lapis Lazuli Corridor – Part 7
The members of the Lapis Lazuli Corridor, except Georgia, are also the members of the ECO (Economic Cooperation Organization). Therefore, ECO has an important role to play in the development of connectivity solutions in the region. Here is the text of the speech of Ambassador Hiseyin Avni Bicakh Deputy, the Secretary General of the Economic Cooperation Organization at the … [Read more...]
Situation at Turkmen-Afghan border – fact versus fiction
nCa Analysis Some things are evergreen. One of them is the desire of certain quarters to see disturbance at the Turkmen-Afghan border. The Russian officials and media are the main proponents of the myth that there is some kind of disturbance at the Turkmen-Afghan border. From time to time other countries add their voice to this fable. This usually happens when Russia is … [Read more...]
Pakistan is striving for peace in Afghanistan
Tariq Saeedi Sometimes it is necessary to state the obvious. Sometimes it is necessary to question the obvious. This is essential because our perceptions define the reality for us ----- and, in most cases we acquire our perceptions through interaction with the media – all kinds of media – and not our direct interaction with the ground realities. * * * It was December 2000. I … [Read more...]
Energized Turkmenistan
nCa Report Mary State Electric Station, 8 September 2018 – Ashgabat 9 September 2018 (nCa) --- The power generation capacity of Turkmenistan increased by about 30% on Saturday when a combined cycle power plant was put into operation at the Mary State Electric (Station MaryGres). President Berdymuhamedov led the opening ceremony. The powerhouse, built by the Turkish … [Read more...]
Туркменистан наращивает энергогенерирующие мощности
Доклад nCa МарыйскаяГосударственнаяЭлектростанция, 8 сентября 2018 г. – Ашхабад, 9 сентября2018 (nCa) --- Мощность производства электроэнергии в Туркменистане увеличилась примерно на 30% в субботу с вводом в эксплуатацию парогазовой электростанции на территории Марыйской государственной электростанции (Мары ГРЭС). В церемонии открытия принимал участие президент … [Read more...]
High level Dialogue EU-Central Asia and Afghanistan was held in Ashgabat
On July 9, 2018 High-level Dialogue of the European Union-Central Asia and Afghanistan on issues of politics and security has been held in Ashgabat. The meeting was held at the level of deputy foreign ministers. The delegation of the European Union at the meeting was headed by Jean Christophe Belliard, Deputy Secretary-General for Political Affairs of the European External … [Read more...]
In the spirit of Great Silk Road, Turkmenistan opens its markets for Afghan products
Ashgabat, 14 May 2018 (nCa) --- Turkmenistan has opened its markets for some non-traditional products from Afghanistan. This is in line with Turkmenistan’s policy to encourage economic stability in the war torn country and stimulate the job market, which in turn can help curtail the violence. At present Turkmenistan is in massive drive to decrease imports and increase … [Read more...]
Start of a new corridor – TAPI, TAP500, TAP Fiber Optic Link, Railway Line
Tariq Saeedi and Raviliya Kadyrova Islim Cheshme, 23 February 2018 – Ashgabat, 25 February 2018 (nCa) --- After about an hour by airplane, seven hours by train, and another hour by bus, we finally reached the place that looked like an artistic depiction of timelessness – gently rolling sand dunes of a pleasant hue of khaki, dotted with majestically leafless trees, and small … [Read more...]
Turkmenistan commemorates in stamps the launch of regional infrastructure projects
Turkmenistan has issued a variety of new commemorative stamps in honor of the launch of infrastructure projects such as the Turkmen-Afghan link of the TAPI gas pipeline, the project of power lines Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan, fiber optic lines, the opening of the railway Serhetabat-Torghondi. The grand ceremonies on these projects took place on 23 February in Mary … [Read more...]
Taliban support TAPI
nCa Commentary Ashgabat, 23 February 2018 (nCa) --- TAPI enters its second phase of implementation today as the launch ceremony takes place in two part – first part in Serhetabat district of Turkmenistan, and the second part in Herat city of Afghanistan. President Berdymuhamedov of Turkmenistan, President Ashraf Ghani of Afghanistan, Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi of … [Read more...]
Turkmenistan thanks Saudi Arabia for funding of TAPI
Ashgabat, 20 January 2018 (nCa) --- President Berdymuhamedov has sent a letter of gratitude to King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saudi of Saudi Arabia, thanking him on the funding provided by the Saudi Development Fund for TAPI (Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India pipeline project. “I take this financial support as a continuation of your efforts to develop our cooperation,” … [Read more...]
Kazakhstan – Highlighting Central Asia on World Stage
Kazakhstan has always followed a balanced policy that highlights the Central Asian region in a positive light on the world stage. An ongoing tenure and a recently concluded event are the case in point. --- President Nazarbayev of Kazakhstan met President Trump of USA on 16 January 2018, and Kazakhstan is the current chair of UN Security Council this month. There is direct … [Read more...]
2018 starts with new formats of pressure on Central Asia
Tariq Saeedi 3 January 2018 (nCa) – It is dismal yet knowable: 2018 has started with a mix of usual and fresh pressures on Central Asia. First tweets of 2018 President Trump, between his New Year festivities at Mar-a-Lago and a morning round of golf, took to Twitter: “Iran is failing at every level despite the terrible deal made with them by the Obama … [Read more...]
TAPI Gas Pipeline: From Idea to Reality
As is known, an important aspect of Turkmenistan's energy strategy is the expansion of the geography of export routes for the supply of Turkmen energy to world markets, including through the creation of a multivariate transport infrastructure. In this area, large investment projects are being implemented, among which the construction of the … [Read more...]
ГАЗОПРОВОД ТАПИ: ИЗ ИДЕИ В РЕАЛЬНОСТЬ
Как известно, важным аспектом энергетической стратегии Туркменистана является расширение географии экспортных маршрутов поставок туркменских энергоносителей на мировые рынки, в том числе, за счёт создания многовариантной транспортной инфраструктуры. В этой сфере реализуются крупные инвестиционные проекты, среди которых особое место занимает строительство газопровода … [Read more...]
GB gives blessing to start of Serhetabat-Turgundi railway line reconstruction
Ashgabat, 30 November 2017 (nCa) --- President Berdymuhamedov flew by helicopter Wednesday to Serhetabat (formerly Kushka), a Turkmen town right at the border with Afghanistan. He was there to personally oversee the start of the reconstruction work on Serhetabat-Turgundi railway connection, an important link connecting the railway system of Turkmenistan with … [Read more...]
RECCA – Outcome within outcome
nCa Report Ashgabat, 20 November 2017 (nCa) --- The RECCA held its seventh main session in Ashgabat on 14-15 November 2017 and wrapped up with very solid outcome, as can be seen in the RECCA VII Declaration, given at the end of this report. However, there were several intangible aspects of the evolvement of RECCA – Regional Economic Cooperation Conference on Afghanistan – … [Read more...]
Trump on The Wrong Side of History
General Mirza Aslam Beg Former COAS, Pakistan Army Email: friendscolumn@hotmail.com American Secretary of States’ hop-over visit’ to Pakistan, on his way to India, was a crude diplomatic gesture of brow-beating Pakistan. He handed over the demand note, as confirmed by a senior US diplomat – Alice Wells: “US wants to see practical steps from Pakistan, over the next few … [Read more...]
ٹرمپ کی نئی اسٹریٹیجی کا انجام ناکامی ہوگا
جنرل مرزا اسلم بیگ سابق چیف آف آرمی سٹاف’ پاکستان Email: friendscolumn@hotmail.com امریکی وزیرخارجہ کا بھارت جاتے ہوئےپاکستان میں چند گھنٹوں کا ٹھہراو سفارتی بداخلاقی کے مترادف ہے۔جاتے ہوئے انہوں نے ایک تحریری نوٹ پاکستانی حکام کے حوالے کیا جس کی وضاحت امریکی سفارتکار ایلس ولز(Alice Wells) نےکی ہےکہ ‘‘امریکہ پاکستان سے مہینوں میں نہیں بلکہ چند ہفتوں کے اندر اندرعملی اقدامات … [Read more...]
ISIS – Part 2
Tariq Saeedi The old hunters are back with new traps --- an eastern proverb * * * In the first part of this series, (published in our subscription-based publication on 12 June 2017) I quoted some verses from the Quran to point out that: 1. It is not God’s will to eliminate all the religions except Islam; 2. A Muslim is required to believe in all the prophets (Peace Be on … [Read more...]
ISIS – Part 1
Editor’s note: Initially, I planned to write a short series to expose the fallacies in the narrative of ISIS (also called ID, Daesh) to throw the light on the nature of the organization that claims to be rooted in Islam but is doing everything imaginable to harm Islam and Muslims. This first part was initially published in our subscription-based publication on 12 June … [Read more...]
World Champion of democracy pulls off mask – “We are killing terrorists”
“Someday, after an effective military effort, perhaps it will be possible to have a political settlement” – Trump’s fuzzy thoughts on Afghanistan’s future Resident of Central Asia 23 August 2017 (nCa)—The latest statement of president Trump on future policy and military guideline in Afghanistan and broader South Asia hardly can be called the “strategy.” Strategy is a high … [Read more...]
Turkmenistan-Afghanistan Summit Talks – Peace and Development take centre stage
nCa Report If we can implement all of the planned projects, then there will be no disputes, no differences; there will be no war. – Berdymuhamedov * * * Ashgabat, 4 July 2017 (nCa) --- President Ashraf Ghani of Afghanistan visited Turkmenistan for a day-long official visit on Monday, 3 July 2017. It was a visit full of substance. The concluding remarks of President … [Read more...]
آج کی خبر
جنرل مرزا اسلم بیگ سابق چیف آف آرمی سٹاف پاکستان Email: friendscolumn@hotmail.com آج کے ایک اردو اخبار کی مندجہ ذیل خبر آپ کے پیش نظر ہے جس کی افادیت14 اپریل 2017ء کو ماسکو میں ہونے والی بارہ ملکی کانفرنس میں ثابت ہوگی اور ہمارا موقف درست ثابت ہوگا کہ طالبان ہی وہ واحدقوت ہیں جو افغانستان میں امن کی ضمانت دے سکتے ہیں۔ ‘‘افغان طالبان اور روس کے درمیان باہمی تعاون کا معاہدہ … [Read more...]
پاک افغان تعلقات ۔ مستقبل کے آئینے میں
جنرل مرزا اسلم بیگ سابق چیف آف آرمی سٹاف پاکستان (تھنکرز فورم پاکستان کے سیمینار میں پیش کیاگیا مقالہ) تاریخی اور جغرافیائی واقعات کے مطالعہ سے ہمیں بڑے اہم حقائق سے آگہی ہوتی ہےجو سچ پر مبنی ہوتے ہیں۔ اسی حوالے سے آج ہم پاکستان او رافغانستان کے تعلقات کا جائزہ لیں گے۔ مملکت افغانستان 1747ء میں احمد شاہ ابدالی نے قائم کی جبکہ پاکستان پورے دو سو سال بعد’1947ء میں معرض وجود … [Read more...]
Exclusive – Afghanistan possibly ready to ponder its own model of neutrality
nCa Report Ashgabat, 21 February 2017 (nCa) --- Faced with seemingly endless and complicated strands of chaos, could Afghanistan possibly be ready to ponder its own model of neutrality? This is the question nCa asked Tuesday Dr. Nasir Andisha, the deputy foreign minister of Afghanistan who is Ashgabat to take part in the activities marking 25 years of diplomatic relations … [Read more...]
Turkmenistan, Afghanistan mark 25 years of diplomatic relations
Turkmenistan repeats offer to host inter-Afghan peace dialogue Ashgabat, 21 February 2017 (nCa) --- An Afghan delegation led by Dr. Nasir Andisha, the deputy minister for foreign affairs is in Ashgabat to participate in the ceremonies and activities to mark 25 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries. A media event was held Tuesday at the foreign office of … [Read more...]
Russia considers Afghanistan an international problem
Ashgabat, 8 December 2016 (nCa) --- Russia considers Afghanistan as international problem, which is closely linked to the predictable situation in the world as a whole, said Grigory Karasin, the state secretary and deputy minister of foreign affairs of Russia while addressing a press conference at the Russian embassy in Ashgabat on Wednesday. Answering a question by a … [Read more...]
Corrective lens to look at Afghanistan – Part Four
Tariq Saeedi Ashgabat, 10 October 2016 (nCa) --- Surely, the destiny of a country is the joint responsibility of the nation. Everyone is a partner in the success or failure of their nation. However, the extent of responsibility of each member of the nation depends on their relative position in the society, their power and influence, their wealth and education and a number of … [Read more...]
Corrective lens to look at Afghanistan – Part Three
Tariq Saeedi Ashgabat, 5 October 2016 (nCa) --- The situation in Afghanistan bring us back to the case of Bilal Sheikh and how the manufactured dependence can dictate the flow and direction of nearly every given scenario out there. This is where we climb out of the box. Billions of dollars, actually close to a trillion dollars, have been poured into Afghanistan. What … [Read more...]
Corrective lens to look at Afghanistan – Part Two
Tariq Saeedi Ashgabat, 3 October 2016 (nCa) --- The story of Bilal Sheikh is crucial to this narrative about Afghanistan because from it I will extract several elements that go into the making of a deranged mind, though this frame of mind manifests itself in so many different ways. Somewhere it is ISIS and Boko Haram. And, somewhere it is Donald Trump and the extreme right … [Read more...]
Corrective lens to look at Afghanistan – Part One
Tariq Saeedi Ashgabat, 28 September 2016 (nCa) --- When the decisions are made by the outsiders intoxicated by power and blinded by arrogance, we get Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, Libya – and the list promises to keep growing. We can be insiders to just one culture, that of our own. That is what these dumbos, thick on muscle, wafer-thin on brains, will never understand. They … [Read more...]
Istanbul Process working group meets in Ashgabat
Ashgabat, 6 Sep—The Regional Technical Group on ‘Regional Infrastructures’ of Confidence Building Measures (RI-CBM) Istanbul Process met Tuesday in Ashgabat. The meeting was hosted by the foreign office of Turkmenistan and co-hosted by the OSCE Centre in Ashgabat. Under the broad initiative called Istanbul Process, where Afghan-owned, Afghan-led route to peace and stability … [Read more...]
Situation normal at Turkmen-Afghan border: Indian envoy
Ashgabat, 29 August 2016 (nCa) --- “The situation is normal at the Turkmen-Afghan border,” said Dr. T V Nagendra Prasad, the ambassador of India in Turkmenistan. He was part of a small group of diplomat who visited the Turkmen-Afghan border recently in a trip organized by the foreign office of Turkmenistan. They visited two border towns: Serhetabat (formerly Kushka) and … [Read more...]
Hospital built by Turkmenistan in Afghanistan to serve people in 100-km radius
Ashgabat, 9 June 2016 (nCa) --- A maternity centre built by Turkmenistan in Afghanistan is strategically located to serve the people in a 100-km radius. The hospital opened Sunday (5 June 2016) is situated in Torgondi, an Afghan town bordering Turkmenistan and a busy trade centre. It had, however, no facility for the pre- and post-natal care and delivery of children. People … [Read more...]
Построенный Туркменистаном Госпиталь в Афганистане будет обслуживать население в радиусе 100 км
Ашхабад, 9 июня 2016 (nCa) --- Родильный центр, построенный Туркменистаном в Афганистане имеет стратегическое расположение и рассчитан на обслуживание населения в радиусе 100 километров. Госпиталь был открыт в воскресенье (5 июня) в городе Тургунди, расположенном на границе с Туркменистаном и являющимся крупным торговым центром. Ранее, в этом городе не было кабинетов … [Read more...]
Deputy FM of Afghanistan comments on TAPI security, engagement with Taliban, new steps to strengthen Turkmen-Afghan partnership
nCa Report Ashgabat, 3 June 2016 (nCa) --- Hekmat Karzai, the deputy minister of foreign affairs of Afghanistan, together with his Turkmen counterpart, Vepa Hajiev, addressed a press conference Thursday in Ashgabat. He commented on a wide range of issues including the security of TAPI, the engagement with the Taliban and the new steps being taken to strengthen partnership … [Read more...]