Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan agree to expand transport connection
By Kamila Aliyeva
Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan are keen to use the transit potential more effectively and improve the transport connection between the two countries.
Delegations of the two countries discussed the possibility of more efficient use of transit potential and expansion of transportation connection at a meeting of the Joint Intergovernmental Commission on bilateral cooperation in Tashkent, the National news agency of Uzbekistan (UzA) reported.
First Deputy Prime Minister of Uzbekistan, Commission co-chairman Achilbay Ramatov expressed the country’s interest in the transit potential of the Aktau port, which will contribute to the promotion of products produced in Uzbekistan at the European and Mediterranean markets.
They considered the possibility of organizing the Uzbek export and import shipments through the Kazakh ports of Aktau and Kuryk on Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR), to the development of which Kazakhstan Railways national company pays great attention.
Thus, Uzbekistan may join the Trans-Caspian international transport route that lies through the territories of China, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Turkey and further goes to Europe.
The Kazakh side also proposed to strengthen transport connection between the two countries, in particular, to establish daily flights between Tashkent and Astana.
The sides agreed on opening of a regular bus service, as well as launching passenger rail service between Tashkent and Almaty till the upcoming Navruz holiday’s celebration were reached at the meeting.
Besides, Kazakhstan Temir Zholy and Uzbekistan Temir Yollari companies reached an agreement on the provision of mutual discounts on tariffs for transportation of Kazakhstan’s grain, flour, and cargo, and transportation of fruit, vegetables, and other agricultural products from Uzbekistan through Kazakhstan.
Four major international transport corridors cross the territory of Kazakhstan, including the Northern corridor of the Trans-Asian Railway (TAR), the Southern corridor of the Trans-Asian Railway (TAR), Transport Corridor Europe-Caucuses-Asia (TRACECA) and the North-South.
Being situated between Europe and Asia, Kazakhstan boasts of a great transit potential, as there is no other alternatives for Asian states to link to Russia and Europe.
The total length of Uzbek railways makes 4400 km, including 600 km of electrified. Railway transportations make approximately 75 percent of international carriage of goods and 66 percent of freight turnover.
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Kamila Aliyeva is AzerNews’ staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @Kami_Aliyeva
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