Meeting of Lapis Lazuli Corridor Countries in Ashgabat
During the Turkmen-Afghan negotiations held in Ashgabat on February 26, discussions were focused on the development of the Lapis Lazuli Corridor in the context of transport issues. The talks were led by the heads of the foreign ministries of Turkmenistan and Afghanistan.
One of the main topics of discussion was the agreement on a meeting of representatives from the five project countries, including Turkey, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, and Afghanistan. This meeting is scheduled to take place in Ashgabat in the near future, as reported on the Afghan Foreign Ministry’s website.
The Lapis Lazuli Corridor is a significant transit project that aims to connect the aforementioned countries through railways, roads, and sea routes to form a trade corridor. The corridor agreement was signed in October 2017 during the 7th Regional Economic Cooperation Conference on Afghanistan, which was held in Ashgabat.
The route of the Lapis Lazuli Corridor starts from the Afghan province of Herat and passes through Ashgabat, Turkmenbashi, Baku, Tbilisi, Ankara, Poti, Batumi, and Istanbul. This trade and transport project is crucial for Afghanistan as it provides the shortest, cheapest, and most reliable trade route with Europe.
The upcoming meeting in Ashgabat signifies a step forward in the development of the Lapis Lazuli Corridor and emphasizes the importance of regional cooperation in improving transport infrastructure and promoting trade. The project holds great potential for enhancing economic growth and connectivity among the participating countries.
With the Lapis Lazuli Corridor set to gather in Ashgabat, stakeholders are hopeful for further progress and cooperation in realizing this vital trade route.
