President of the Republic of Tajikistan

Speech at the official ceremony of the beginning of construction of railway Turkmenistan – Afghanistan – Tajikistan

06.06.2013 10:59, Turkmenistan

Your Excellency Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, President of Turkmenistan,
Your Excellency Hamid Karzai, President of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan,
Distinguished constructors, engineers,
Ladies and gentlemen, 

Today we are witnessing and participating at the important historical events of regional importance. From this day on a long-standing dream of the people of Tajikistan, Afghanistan and Turkmenistan associated with the construction of the railway linking the three brotherly nations begins to come true.

Beyond doubt, this event will be written by golden letters in the history of cooperation between our peoples.

During the celebration of the “Nowruz” International Festival in Ashgabat we, heads of the three states have signed an agreement on joint implementation of this railroad project. And today – two and a half months later, owing to persistent and determined efforts of the President of Turkmenistan His Excellency Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov we met again in the picturesque and fabulous Turkmen land to give a start to this grand ceremony of building new railway.

We are confident, that this highway of cooperation and constructive unity of our countries will not only represent a mean of transportation of passengers and supplies, but also will be an important factor in strengthening the friendship and brotherhood between the peoples of our countries.

It is crystal obvious that this road has a strategic importance not only in mutual rapprochement of our countries and peoples, but it would be a key instrument for the solution of a wide spectrum of regional economic, infrastructural, social and humanitarian challenges.

As the experience and practice shows, remarkable success in accelerated development can be achieved only by those nations that have high-quality connectivity roads and modern means of communication. Moreover, the network of roads and railways, which have already been built and those under construction, are nothing else than the real revival of the Great Silk Road.

It is no accident, that railways are called "blood arteries". In this case, the commissioning of this new railway in the coming years will contribute to our sustainable development for the cause of addressing of socio-economic challenges the people facing, the strengthening of a fruitful humanitarian links, and, of course, will improve the living standards of the people.

Of course, new businesses, trade facilities and service markets will be built along the new railway, particularly around the stations, which will notably contribute to the development of new territories and foster improvement of life in the countryside.

This road will create favorable conditions to improve the standard of living of the peoples and create new jobs, which in turn lays down a strong basis for the development of the creative might of our nations.

It is not for nothing that nowadays construction of new interstate railways has become one of the most important issues of regional cooperation. If our region will be in line with global and regional developments, including the location of transit arteries, it will give a powerful impetus to the integration trends and will turn it into a real regional community.

Tajikistan along with Turkmenistan and Afghanistan is a strong supporter of all-embracing and fruitful regional cooperation. For, only creation of favorable conditions for the free movement of goods, services, capital and labor will enable to increase the GDP of countries in the region in the coming years at least twice. Moreover, no doubt that Central Asia as an integrated market may become more attractive for investment.

Trade relations among the counties of the region have been recently stepping up rapidly. Establishment of a connected transport and transit infrastructure will, in particular, facilitate the development of relevant industrial sectors. There is a wide space for our joint cooperation in this field.

I am convinced that accomplishment of the new railway and its operation in the near future will allow to quickly and to successfully move forward towards long-term and lofty objectives.

I take this opportunity to express my deep gratitude to my friend, President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov for the invitation to attend this important historical event. Participation of our friend, President of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan Hamid Karzai has given new grandeur to today’s ceremony.

Let me congratulate the people of our countries and all those present on this momentous occasion and to wish each of you good health, happiness and every success, including in the implementation of this important project.

Thank you for your attention!

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