Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amir Khan Muttaqi, held a discussion over major development projects with Turkmen officials in a visit to Ashgabat.

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Last Friday, Muttaqi and his accompanying delegation arrived in Ashgabat, having been invited by Turkmenistan.

"We hope that before the resumption of the TAPI pipeline project (gas), the work on the TAP project (electricity) will begin in the coming spring. Its construction may start in March," Muttaqi said.

The acting foreign minister discussed political and economic relations with the country’s officials.

In his meeting with the Foreign Minister of Turkmenistan, Rashid Meredov, Muttaqi called for the implementation of major power transmission projects in the coming solar year.

Muttaqi also discussed the status of Afghan students studying in Turkmenistan.

"After January 20, a technical team from Turkmenistan will come to Afghanistan. A technical team from our side will join them to investigate the areas," said Ahmad Wali Haqqmal, a spokesman for the Finance Ministry.

"Turkmenistan and Afghanistan have had good relations since the the Taliban’s takeover of (Afghanistan) until today," said Sayed Masoud, an economist.

The Islamic Emirate pledged that the ground has been paved for the implementation of the TAPI pipeline and TAP power transmission projects.

But some analyst say the lack of international recognition of the current Afghan government is the main challenge ahead of the development projects.