One of the main directions of Turkmenistan’s foreign policy is the further development and strengthening of comprehensive relations with neighbouring countries, Trend reported on Friday, citing the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan.
As previously reported, a delegation of representatives of Afghanistan, headed by Afghan Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Alhaj Noor Uddin Azizi, visited Turkmenistan from 4-6 March this year to participate in an exhibition of goods produced in Afghanistan, a business forum and other events organised to expand Turkmen-Afghan trade and economic ties.
During their stay in Turkmenistan, the Afghan delegation held a meeting at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan, where a wide range of issues related to the implementation of economic projects and large-scale humanitarian aid to the Afghan people were discussed. Cooperation in the water sector was also touched upon.
In this regard, the Turkmen side noted that the rational use of water resources in the region should be carried out on the basis of universally recognised norms of international law regulating the regime of water use in transboundary rivers, watercourses and border lakes.
The attention of the Afghan delegation was particularly drawn to the following issues:
First, the need for a scientifically based and validated approach to water withdrawal from transboundary rivers, which takes into account, first and foremost, the real needs for the utilisation of water resources;
Secondly, for the construction of hydraulic structures on transboundary rivers, the provision of highly qualified personnel capable of ensuring the proper operation of such facilities;
Thirdly, unconditional respect for the interests of all States on transboundary rivers through the establishment of appropriate water management mechanisms on the basis of international law and based on the principles of good neighbourliness, mutual respect, equality and transparency.
The meeting with the Afghan delegation took place in a friendly and constructive atmosphere.