ISLAMABAD, April 12 (Xinhuanet) -- Ministers from Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Turkmenistan on Tuesday opened a two-day meeting here to discuss Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan (TAP) gas pipeline.

    During the first-day talks of the tripartite ministerial meeting, Afghan Minister for Mines and Industry Mir Muhammad Saddiq assured that Afghanistan will guarantee security of the multi-billion gas pipeline that will bring gas from Turkmenistan to Pakistan via Afghanistan.

    "We are also of the view that the security situation is improving," said Pakistani Petroleum Minister Amanullah Khan Jadoon after received the assurance from his Afghani counterpart.

    On India's participation in the TAP, Khan said Islamabad has no reservations if India joins the project. "They are welcome if they join the project but Pakistan will go ahead with the projects even if India does not join them."

    On gas reserves, he said Tukmen Oil Minister A.G.Pudakov informed the meeting about their reserves.

    "They gave an outlay, which shows that they have substantial reserves. We will send our experts to visit their Daulatabad fields. We will confirm what information we have received. Let the report come," said Pakistani minister.

    Pakistan has been insisting for the past 20 months that certified reserves are a must for the progress of the project.

    The committee has not met for the past 11 months owing to non-availability of this certification, though it is required to meet on a quarterly basis. Enditem