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Mary, May 6 (ORIENT). From May 5 to 8, Mary Province is hosting guests from the neighboring Afghan province of Herat. The large delegation, which includes two dozen representatives of government agencies and private companies, is headed by Governor of Herat Province, Noruddin Ahmad Islam Jar.
This visit is an important step in developing direct interregional cooperation and strengthening the traditionally good-neighborly relations between Turkmenistan and Afghanistan.
It is especially significant because it is being held in the format of a return visit after the recent trip of the Mary Province delegation to Herat Province. This demonstrates the active and mutual desire of the parties to develop ties at the regional level.
Let us recall that from November 19 to 21 last year, a Turkmen delegation headed by head of the Mary region administration Begenchmurad Orazov paid a working visit to the Herat province of Afghanistan.
During the visit, meetings with key representatives of local authorities were held. Then, the Turkmen delegation held talks with Governor of Herat Province Noruddin Ahmad Islam Jar, as well as with head of Batkhyz Province Abdul Samad Javid.
Meetings were also organized with the heads of a number of relevant government agencies responsible for economic, trade, infrastructure and regional development issues.
During the talks in November last year, current issues of bilateral cooperation, prospects for the implementation of joint initiatives and projects aimed at ensuring the sustainable development of border regions were discussed, and ways to further deepen it in various areas were outlined.
The parties emphasized the importance of maintaining active contacts and exchanging experience in the socio-economic and cultural spheres. Particular attention was paid to issues of cross-border interaction, development of infrastructure projects and intensification of economic ties.
As part of their stay in Afghanistan, the Turkmen delegation visited the Industrial City of Herat Province, got acquainted with the work of the largest enterprises in the region, their production potential and opportunities for future partnership.
A cultural part of the visit was also organized - representatives of Turkmenistan visited a number of historical and cultural monuments of Herat Province, which are important objects not only of Afghan heritage, but also of the Central Asian region.
During the current return visit to the Mary region of Turkmenistan, key meetings of the Afghan delegation with leaders of various levels took place, which confirms the activity and interest of the parties in continuing a fruitful dialogue.
Thus, already on the first day of their stay in Turkmenistan, the Afghan delegation held negotiations with head of the Mary velayat administration Begenchmurad Orazov, which allowed them to discuss in detail the current state and prospects for further cooperation between the two border regions.
The Afghan side expressed deep gratitude to President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov, as well as Chairman of the Khalk Maslakhaty of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov for the support, humanitarian aid and consistent policy of good-neighborliness that Turkmenistan is pursuing towards the fraternal Afghan people.
The first day of the Afghan delegation's visit also included a visit to a number of industrial and production facilities in the Mary velayat, which underscores the interest of both sides in practical cooperation.
The guests got acquainted with the work of large enterprises and visited private production facilities. In particular, they visited enterprises producing construction materials, which is important for the Afghan people, who after many years of resistance from external invasions and internal confrontations are creating a new peaceful life.
The Afghan delegation also visited Mary enterprises producing meat and dairy products, confectionery. The guests noted the high quality of footwear produced by Turkmen entrepreneurs, as well as environmentally friendly agricultural products, in particular, vegetables and fruits grown by Turkmen farmers.
On the first day of the working visit, members of the Afghan delegation did not ignore the capabilities of large warehouses that can be used to deliver large quantities of Afghan goods to Turkmenistan.
Such an active approach of the guests and hosts indicates the intention of the parties to expand trade and economic ties and explore opportunities for joint projects at the regional level.
A meeting with members of the Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs of Turkmenistan is scheduled for tomorrow, which confirms the active involvement of not only government but also business circles in this process.
During the visit, in addition to the economic block, much attention will be paid to cultural and spiritual ties. Thus, the Afghan delegation will visit the monuments of Mary velayat, including the State Historical and Cultural Reserve "Ancient Merv" and its main attraction, the Mausoleum of Sultan Sanjar - an important symbol of the common cultural heritage. This once again emphasizes the common historical roots and cultural heritage of the peoples of the two countries.
A significant moment will be the visit to the Gurbanguly-Hajji Mosque in the city of Mary, where prayers will be offered for the well-being and happy life of the two fraternal peoples.
Thus, the return visit of the Herat province delegation to the Mary velayat became another confirmation of the high level of trust, mutual understanding and mutual desire to develop mutually beneficial cooperation.
All this is an important contribution to the further strengthening of good-neighborly relations between Turkmenistan and Afghanistan, promoting the development of trade, economic, cultural and humanitarian ties between the regions of the two countries.
Bekdurdy AMANSARYEV
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