The first section of the Asian International transport corridor is put into operation

Opening ceremony of the first section of transnational railroad was held at Ymamnazar railway station. President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov and President of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan Mohammad Ashraf Ghani took part in the events signifying the start of new road Atamyrat – Ymamnazar – Akina. 

In the morning, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov flew by helicopter from Turkmenabat to Ymamnazar railway station, the place of opening ceremony. 

The President of Afghanistan followed the same course later. 

Atmosphere of the holiday reigned at the railway station near which the helicopter of the Leader of the Nation has landed. The place of event was decorated by the State Flags of Turkmenistan and Afghanistan. 

The Leader of the nation was warmly welcomed by the Deputy Chairmen of the cabinet of Ministers of Turkmenistan, leaders of military and law enforcement agencies. There are delegates of the Global Sustainable Transport Conference, representatives of number of countries and foreign mass media among the participants of the event. 

Art bands of country prepared their present, the bright music and dance performance, on the occasion of this momentous event. 

The President of Turkmenistan cut symbolical ribbon of “Ymamnazar” railway station in the solemn atmosphere, entered the building and proceeded to the VIP hall. 

Shortly, the helicopter with President of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan Mohammad Ashraf Ghani has landed. 
 

High-rank guest went to the VIP hall where he was warmly and cordially welcomed by President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov. 

Presidents of Turkmenistan and Afghanistan took pictures on the background of national flags. 

In the conversation taken place after, the heads of both nations stated steadfast development of friendly and partner bilateral relations. Special attention was paid to great importance of new railway line, which undoubtedly would enhance establishing closer character of our cooperation and economic interrelation. 

Having expressed sincere gratitude to the Head of Turkmenistan for fraternal help to Afghan people, President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani stated with delight that new railroad would become another important direction of successful relations of not only our countries but the states of the region also and the stimulus for the economy of Afghanistan. 

Having mentioned that foreign policy of Turkmenistan is being steadily built within peace-making, neutral status and constructive partnership, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov said that these principles would continue to be the main among the measures and activities of our country for the sake of peace, security and sustainable development of the region. 

After, the Heads of two States visited the dispatch department of Ymamnazar railway station. 

The employee of the dispatch services spoke on provision of the centre for traffic control, specific of work and implementation of new methods of its organization including those using modern communication devices and information technologies. He expressed sincere gratitude to the Leader of the Nation for excellent conditions established for adequate fulfilment of responsible duties. 
 

The Heads of the States also visited custom department of Ymamnazar station, having familiarized themselves with its activity, modern equipment and special features of cargo inspection including the use of computer systems. 

After joint motorcade of Heads of the States Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov and Mohammad Ashraf Ghani went to the place of opening ceremony of Atamyrat – Ymamnazar (Turkmenistan) – Akina (Afghanistan) section of the Asian international rail transport corridor. 

Celebration events in national spirit with yurts, performances of folk bands were expanded for few kilometres along the way of Turkmen and Afghan Leaders. There were music, dance and song performances, joyful shows under the motives of national rites. 

President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov and President of Afghanistan Mohammad Ashraf Ghani became the spectators of joint performance of art masters of our countries. After, the Heads of the States proceeded to special tent built at the place of event where participants and guests of the opening ceremony have already gathered. 

The video, dedicated to the importance of the Asian International rail transport corridor, was demonstrated to the participants. Multimedia presentation of the subject, forestalled by so-called kinematic, in other words moving installation made of five hundred operated lamps, which is a breakthrough in high technology presentations, was very impressive for numerous foreign guests. 

After demonstration of the video, the floor was given to President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov. 
 

Today, we participate in the opening ceremony of first part of the Asian International rail transport corridor, which is the most important project of the region, - the Atamyrat - Ymamnazar – Akina section, the Head of the State said. 

Having reminded that the start to construction was given on June 5, 2013 with participation of the Presidents of the Republic of Tajikistan and the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, the Leader of the Nation noted that great work was done for the past period. 

Two large bridges with 256 and 363 meters length were built along 88 kilometres of the railway. Gulistan, Ymamnazar, and other railway stations, number of necessary technical and social facilities were put into operation. 

This line, reviving the Great Silk road and which is summoned to increase transport and transit throughput capacity of independent state, would become important transnational corridor in Europe, Asia – the Pacific Ocean and South Asia direction. It will enhance consolidation of successful trade and economic cooperation with the countries of the region, serving to the interests of millions of people, universal peace and prosperity, the Head of the State said. 

Wide opportunities for Afghanistan, Tajikistan, china, India, Pakistan and countries of Asian Pacific are opened with the start of new route; favourable conditions for increase of cargo traffic to Iran, Kazakhstan, Russian federation, Azerbaijan and European countries are established. 

At the same time, Turkmenistan turns to be important intersection of railroads, large transport and transit centre in Eurasia. 

Formation of developed transport and transit infrastructure is our priority strategic target, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov said, having informed that railroad and automobile bridges across the Amudarya River, which is another large engineering project in the regional scale, would be put into operation soon. 

Having highlighted that economic reforms in our country are aimed at improvement of life level of the people, peaceful and prosperous life of Turkmenistan, the Leader of the nation noted that they give opportunities to develop economy and social infrastructure of neighbouring countries. 
 

This railroad, together with economic benefit, will also promote consolidation of good neighbour relations, the Head of the State said, having congratulated the participants on current momentous event and wished peace and prosperity to fraternal peoples of participating countries. 

The floor was given to president of Afghanistan Mohammad Ashraf Ghani who in the beginning of his speech expressed the gratitude to the president of Turkmenistan in Turkmen language for the current historical event. 

High-rank guest stressed the attention at the importance of the current event, which is historical for Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, Asia and the whole world in the light of balanced development of all types of transport – by sea and land where railroads play a backbone role. During the Global Sustainable Transport Conference in Ashgabat, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov said that large transformations are going to happen in the Asia, Ashraf Ghani continued, having noted that new steel line, built by Turkmenistan, would promote this. 

The people of Afghanistan highly appreciate weighed foreign policy pursued by brother state, which brings considerable results, treats neutral status of Turkmenistan with respect and proud, which successes it takes as its own as having good neighbour is a great happiness and Turkmenistan is good neighbour and reliable partner, the Head of Afghanistan said. 

For the short period of time, your country become the centre of attraction for all Asia, new great deeds would be successfully continued and bring considerable benefit to the neighbouring countries as well, President Ashraf Ghani noted. Today, we take part in the ceremony of connection of Turkmenistan – Afghanistan railroad and in the future, this line would reach from Akina to India and farther to the South Asia. 

The Afghan Leader expressed big gratitude to Turkmen railwaymen and highlighted that their selfless work under the leadership of President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov deserves high appraisals. 
 

We reached set target and want to move forward, President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani said. Now, our main goal is establishment of connection system between Afghanistan provinces. In the future, the same roads will come to Turgundy and Bathyz. 

Current event is a result of the policy of President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, which is aimed at fundamental transformation of our region. The projects, initiated by the Turkmen Leader, would allow supplying natural gas from your country to consumers of Pakistan and India, easing and improving the life of people. Another project is developed for power supply to Afghanistan and Pakistan. Their realization will consolidate the economy of the Sian states and bring the light and heat. 

After, direct live broadcast of the opening ceremony of new terminal for reception, storage and lifting of hydrocarbons, built at Ymamnazar custom point, has started. 

Head of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov gave permission to open the terminal, start of working processes of which is demonstrated live on the monitors accompanied by detailed information on new facility. 

Modern equipment of the terminal allows to receive, store and lift 540 thousand tons of hydrocarbons or 2 thousand tons of flammable materials per day. 

The participants of the event watched the hydrocarbons being delivered to terminal by railway tank carriers, receive and by special pipelines shipped to the border with Afghanistan where they were being lifted to special vehicles for further transportation. 

After, the facilitators invited the Heads of the States to fasten “golden juncture” of the Atamyrat – Ymamnazar – Akina railroad. 

The historical moment came and Presidents of Turkmenistan and Afghanistan went to the place of fastening of “golden juncture” of the railroad at the crosspoint of Turkmen – Afghan border. 

Under the storm of applause of the participants, Presidents Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov and Ashraf Ghani tightened the bolts of the “golden juncture” of new rail line. 

As soon as the joint was securely fastened, the train went underway by new road. 
 

The Leaders of Turkmenistan and Afghanistan watched the movement of first cargo carriages to Afghan territory. 

The train includes 46 trucks with production of Turkmen manufacturers: 10 trucks of flour and grain (680 tons of each item), 10 trucks with cement. Sulphur and carbamide are among other cargoes. Confectionaries became the separate cargo. 

After, the Heads of the States proceeded to the place of sadaka given on the occasion of the historical event. 

Along the way, Presidents of Turkmenistan and Afghanistan examined the exhibition demonstrating original culture and art of two fraternal peoples. Its exposition included original works of different craftsmen and masters of decorative and applied arts: beautiful carpets, national jewelleries, embroidery and many other. 

Deserving place in the vernisage was allocated for museum values: ethnographic artefacts and painted canvases. Works of the students of the State Academy of Arts of Turkmenistan, various accessories and souvenirs with the emblem of 2107 Asian games were also presented there. 

Besides, separate collections of the exhibits represented the variety of natural resources and minerals of our country, as well as productions made by industrial plants and textile factories of Turkmenistan. 

The yurt, representing all velayats and Ashgabat, was set nearby, where traditional meal was cooked, songs and tunes, inherent to certain region, were sounded. Ancient traditions and rituals were being returned to life there; handcraft works were demonstrated. 

At the end of celebration sadaka, the prayers was offered according to national traditions. 
 

After, the Presidents of Turkmenistan and Afghanistan proceeded to the train awaiting for them and went from Turkmen – Afghan border to “Akina” railway station at the territory of neighbouring country. The Heads of the State became the first passengers on this route. 

There, the Heads of the State in the solemn atmosphere cut symbolical ribbon, opening “Akina” railway station. 

After, the presidents of Turkmenistan and Afghanistan made speeches in the ceremony hall. 

Presentation of the highest award of Afghanistan, the State medal «Gazy Mohammad Akbar Han», to President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov for huge personal contribution in development of friendship and cooperation between our people was held during events in Akina. 

At the end of the meeting, President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov and President of Afghanistan Mohammad Ashraf Ghani bade warm goodbye to each other and exchanged wishes of peace and prosperity to neighbouring people, having expressed firm confidence that fruitful cooperation would be successfully developed. 

The Head of Turkmenistan left “Akina” railway station by helicopter for Turkmenabat. 

At the same day, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov returned to Ashgabat.