Turkmenistan sends humanitarian aid to Afghanistan

By Jeyhun Aliyev

ANKARA (AA) - Turkmenistan on Tuesday sent humanitarian aid comprising food, textile, household goods, and oil products to neighboring Afghanistan, according to the country's embassy in Turkey.

The order on sending the aid "with a view to assist neighboring Afghanistan on a systematic and regular basis and to provide an all-round support in economic, social and humanitarian spheres" was signed by Turkmenistan's President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov during an extended meeting of the government on Dec. 10, the statement read.

The Turkmen side provided humanitarian aid to the "brotherly" Afghan people, which consists of 1,200 tons of various goods, in particular, textile products, food products, as well as 20 rail tankers of oil products made in Turkmenistan.

"It is important to note that neutral Turkmenistan systematically provides comprehensive support for the social and economic revival of the neighboring country, and has always advocated a position to resolve the situation in Afghanistan solely by peaceful political and diplomatic means," the statement added.

A ceremony for the delivery of the aid was attended by a representative delegation from Turkmenistan.

From the Afghan side attending the ceremony were Acting Deputy Foreign Minister Sher Mohammad Abbas Stanikzai, Noor Ahmad Islamjar, the governor of the Herat province, and other representatives from various Afghan institutions.

Following the ceremony, charities were given in the new mosque in the town Aqina, which was built with the assistance of the Turkmen side.