Kabul and Ashgabat Coordinate Land Acquisition Procedures for TAPI Pipeline

The implementation of the TAPI gas pipeline project in Afghanistan is moving into the stage of resolving land relation issues. On March 15, a meeting was held in Kabul between the Afghan Minister of Agriculture, Irrigation, and Livestock, Mawlawi Ataullah Omari, the CEO of "TAPI Pipeline Company Ltd." consortium, Muhammetmyrat Amanov, and the Ambassador of Turkmenistan, Hoja Ovezov. The main topic of the negotiations was the mechanism for the alienation and leasing of land plots along the pipeline route. The parties focused on fulfilling the terms of the framework agreement between the four participant states of the project. Key outcomes of the meeting include: - Valuation: The Afghan side is developing a differentiated tariff system for the purchase or lease of private, personal, and state ("emirate") lands. - Accelerating Momentum: Muhammetmyrat Amanov called for the completion of land-related work in the shortest possible time to avoid falling behind the construction schedule. - Herat Province as a Priority: The meeting took place while a technical delegation from the Afghanistan Land Authority is actively working in Herat Province, conducting direct route marking. Mawlawi Ataullah Omari confirmed that the TAPI project is a strategic priority for Afghanistan's economy. His ministry assumes the role of technical guarantor—ranging from assessing the fertility of the soil along the pipeline path to ensuring the legality of ownership rights when paying compensation. It is expected that a clear definition of lease rates and taxes for lands along the pipeline will allow for the completion of the construction corridor preparation in Herat Province within this year.