ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: A high-level delegation of Turkmenistan led by the Deputy Foreign Minister Vepa Hajiyev held an extensive meeting with the Pakistani delegation led by the Federal Minister for Energy Hammad Azhar in Islamabad on Monday.
In the meeting, both sides discussed various aspects of the flagship Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) gas pipeline as well as the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan (TAP) power transmission line.
Hammad Azhar reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to the TAPI project and stressed the need to expedite the project. The same devotion to the multi-lateral project was expressed from Turkmenistan’s side.
The energy minister further expressed the resolve of the government of Pakistan for the early completion of the TAPI project on account of Pakistan’s need for additional supplies of natural gas.
The minister requested the Turkmenistan side to take all steps for the early completion of the project. Pakistan agreed to hold the meeting of the technical working group on the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan (TAP) power transmission line in a week that will work around the pre-feasibility parameters of the project.
It was decided that a meeting of the technical working group on TAPI will be held tomorrow to propose the future roadmap given the changing dynamics of the project.
Turkmenistan’s delegation also included the Chairman of the Board and CEO TAPI Pipeline Company Limited Muhammetmyrat Amanov, the Head of the Department of International Power Projects in the direction of Turkmenistan–Afghanistan-Pakistan, Ministry of Energy of Turkmenistan M. Artykov, the Ambassador of Turkmenistan to Pakistan Atadjan Movlamov, the Chairman of the concern Turkmenenergogurlushyk N. Atayev, as well as representatives of the project company – Calik Holding.
Pakistan’s delegation included the Secretary Power Division Syed Asif Haider Shah, the Secretary Petroleum Division Ali Raza Bhutta, and senior officials of the Ministry of Energy.
