Lately, we have been witnessing great positive signs in the relationship between Afghanistan and Pakistan. A recent example of this is the agreement between the two nations on the Transit Price for the Central Asia South Asia electricity transmission project, or better known as CASA-1000. This agreement is the final step in bringing to implementation this long awaited project. The United States is committed to this project and will continue to work with the four participating countries to bring stability and economic prosperity to the region through this project. How many of you have heard about CASA - 1000? Do you know the four main countries involved in this project, or understand what this project entails?
What do you think - could closer ties between AF-PAK be the solution to regional economic prosperity and stability?
The construction of the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) gas pipeline is slated to start in 2015.
This remark was made by Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov at a meeting of the Council of Elders, local media reported on October 21.
“The project for construction of the TAPI gas pipeline aims at ensuring the economic development of the participating countries and strengthening of political stability in the region,” he said.The TAPI project with the proposed capacity of 33 billion cubic meters of natural gas per year will extend from Galkynysh field in Turkmenistan through the Afghan cities of Herat and Kandahar to its final point at a settlement on the Pakistani-Indian border.
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) serves as a transactional advisor on TAPI gas pipeline project. Its main task is to develop the project company TAPI Ltd., as well as to search for a leader of the consortium to implement one of the largest energy projects in the vast Asian space.
Experts believe that TAPI is not only a regional project envisaging the transportation of Turkmen gas, but also a global one. The implementation of the project will strengthen Turkmenistan’s independence, and its gas supplies to world markets will increase significantly.
The project is an opportunity to contribute to the stability of Afghanistan, and its implementation could contribute to the rehabilitation process in the post-war country. It will also create job opportunities and provide Afghanistan with guaranteed income from the transit.