WASHINGTON (Pajhwok): The United States has urged Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan and India to engage an international energy company to take forward the ambitious TAPI gas pipeline project that has the potential to transform the entire region.
“We encourage the TAPI parties to bring an international energy company into the project to work in cooperation with Turkmengaz in the development of the gas supply and serve as commercial champion for the project,” a State Department spokesperson told Pajhwok Afghan News.
The spokesperson was responding to questions about Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan and India signing an Operational Agreement for the TAPI pipeline at the July 8 Steering Committee Meeting in Ashgabat.
“The United States is pleased to see continuing progress on TAPI, and believe the project can succeed if it is done on a commercially viable, economically-sustainable basis,” the spokesperson said, adding TAPI had the potential to be transformative for the future of the entire region.
“The TAPI pipeline project is a true multinational effort and, if realized, can serve as an important example of the benefits of greater regional economic connectivity,” the spokesperson said.
