Ashgabat, 9 July 2002 (RFE/RL) -- A proposed natural-gas pipeline through Afghanistan received backing today from the Asian Development Bank during a meeting in Turkmenistan's capital Ashgabat. The meeting was attended by Asian Development Bank officials and ministers and government officials from Afghanistan, Turkmenistan, and Pakistan. A representative of the U.S. Embassy also attended.
Rajiv Kumar, the chief economist at the Asian Development Bank, said the bank would fund a feasibility study on the pipeline. The estimated $2 billion project calls for the construction of a 1,460-kilometer pipeline to carry natural gas from Turkmenistan's Dauletabad-Donmez field through Afghanistan to Pakistan.
Robert Hanzy, of the U.S. Embassy in Turkmenistan, said the United States government welcomes the Asian Development Bank's decision to help fund the project.
Rajiv Kumar, the chief economist at the Asian Development Bank, said the bank would fund a feasibility study on the pipeline. The estimated $2 billion project calls for the construction of a 1,460-kilometer pipeline to carry natural gas from Turkmenistan's Dauletabad-Donmez field through Afghanistan to Pakistan.
Robert Hanzy, of the U.S. Embassy in Turkmenistan, said the United States government welcomes the Asian Development Bank's decision to help fund the project.