DUSHANBE - In a landmark deal, Afghanistan, Iran and Tajikistan inked a key infrastructure pact on the development of railway, energy and water pipeline projects. The accord was signed by the three presidents late on Sunday in Dushanbe, Tajikistan's capital, during a trilateral meeting, Aimal Faizi, the presidential spokesman, told Pajhwok Afghan News.

On March 24, President Karzai flew to Dushanbe to attend the 5th Regional Economic Cooperation Conference on Afghanistan (RECCA) Summit.

Faizi said the move would help link the three countries through a rail network and lead to the installation of power pylons between Afghanistan and Tajikistan.

He added that the three countries had also agreed on building water pipelines from Tajikistan to Iran via Afghanistan. The spokesman said the accord would allow other interested neighboring countries to benefit from the mega infrastructure projects.

To implement the agreement, senior representatives from the three regional countries are slated to meet in Tehran, Iran's capital, in the next two months. (Pajhwok)