ASHGHABAD - Peace may be established in Afghanistan only through negotiation and consistent implementation of large infrastructure projects aimed at reviving the country's economy, Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov said today.

"Highlighting the peaceful settlement of the situation in neighboring Afghanistan as a key factor for regional safety, President Berdimuhamedov expressed his passionate view that it is possible to establish peace in the neighboring country only through negotiations, full use of political and diplomatic methods and consistent implementation of large infrastructure projects aimed at reviving the economic and social life of the Afghan people," the national TV channel Altyn Asyr said today.

The Turkmen president has recently discussed the situation in the region with Uzbek counterpart Islam Karimov, who paid an official visit to Turkmenistan.

According to a joint statement by the two presidents, published by the local media, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan expressed interest in a rapid settlement of the situation in Afghanistan and appreciated the contribution of the two countries in restoring Afghanistan's economy.

According to the state news service Turkmen Dovlet Khabarlary, President Karimov said that Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan are interested to join efforts and take measures to maintain peace in the region.
Both countries have a long border with Afghanistan.

At this stage, Turkmenistan is preparing for the construction of the first link of the Atamyrat-Imamnazar-Akin-Andkhoy (Turkmenistan-Afghanistan) railway which
may become an important link in the transport area of the Eurasian continent.

Turkmenistan launched the implementation of a large project in the energy infrastructure that will enable increasing Turkmen exports of electric power to Afghanistan five-fold.

The construction of the transnational gas pipeline Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) was among Turkmenistan's other significant initiatives on Afghanistan.

Its practical implementation began in December 2010 by signing an agreement at a high level in Ashgabat. At present, an international consortium is being formed.

The Turkmen side conducted several international road shows for TAPI in September with the participation of the Asian Development Bank (ADB). It was reported that Chevron, Exxon Mobil, BP, BG Group, RWE, Petronas and

other companies became familiarized with the main terms of the project implementation and expressed an intention to participate in it. (Agencies)