BAKU, Azerbaijan, August 14. Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan discussed measures to expand transport and logistics cooperation, including improving border procedures, increasing cargo flows and developing new transit routes between the countries.
This was reflected in the statement by the Uzbek Ministry of Transport following a meeting between Turkmenistan’s Ambassador to Uzbekistan, Shadurdy Meredov, and representatives of Uzbekistan’s transport and logistics sector.
According to the ministry, the participants included Bekzod Kholmatov, director of the Center for Transport and Logistics Development Studies, representatives of Uzbekistan’s Foreign Ministry and the Association of International Road Carriers, as well as executives from national transport companies and freight-forwarding firms.
''The sides discussed a range of measures aimed at making cross-border transportation more efficient. Key issues included the introduction of electronic visa processing for drivers, optimization of related payments, and improvements to procedures at the Farap-Alat border crossing,'' the ministry said in a statement.
Particular attention was given to reducing queues and waiting times for carriers and improving the overall efficiency of border-crossing operations.
The parties also discussed establishing a dedicated corridor for perishable goods, which could help speed up the movement of time-sensitive cargo between the two countries.
Another proposal involved constructing a second bridge in the neutral zone to increase the capacity of the existing border infrastructure.
The sides also considered increasing road and rail freight traffic through Turkmenistan’s Turkmenbashi port, revising weight and dimension restrictions for vehicles and restoring direct air connectivity between Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan.
“The Turkmen side expressed readiness to consider the proposals raised during the meeting and submit them to the relevant state authorities,” according to the Uzbek side.
The discussions come as Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan seek to strengthen their roles in regional transport and transit networks and improve connectivity between Central Asia and international markets.
The parties agreed to continue cooperation on the discussed initiatives and work toward creating more favorable conditions for carriers and expanding transport and logistics links between the two countries.
