DUSHANBE, 17.03.2017. /NIAT “Khovar”/. The first meeting of the joint working group on oil and gas, and the second meeting of the joint working group on energy and infrastructure between Tajikistan and Pakistan were held on March 16 here in Dushanbe.

As correspondent of NIAT “Khovar” reported at the site of meetings, the delegation of Tajikistan was headed by the Minister of Energy and Water Resources of the Republic of Tajikistan Usmonali Usmonzoda, and the delegation of Pakistan – by the Federal Minister for Water and Energy of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan Khoja Mohammad Asif.

During the first meeting the possibilities of expanding cooperation in the field of oil and gas, activization of relationships between Tajik and Pakistani communities in the field of mining, manufacturing and import of oil and gas, establishing cooperation in the field of geological-geophysical studies in oil and gas zones of the south-west and the north of Tajikistan, the establishment of joint ventures for the processing of high-quality oil products and final products mined from oil, as well as taking into account the rich experience of the parties to prepare the sectoral specialists and improve the professional skills of specialists were discussed.

During the second meeting the implementation of achievements resulting of the top level talks between two countries, as well as a range of energy and infrastructure issues, including the expansion of cooperation regarding the timely implementation of CASA-1000 regional electricity transmission project, especially the construction of power transmission line Sangtuda /Tajikistan/ — Novshera /Pakistan/ with a total length of 750 km, which is considered one of the most important parts of the CASA – 1000 project, were discussed. At the same time, the possibilities of construction of additional transmission line 500 kW “Tajikistan — Pakistan”, possible directions and its economic-technical aspects have been also discussed.

The parties agreed to continue cooperation in effective use of existing resources and opportunities in energy, oil and gas fields by strengthening mutually beneficial relations.