The President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov and the President of Republic of Kazakhstan Kasym-Zhomart Tokaev, in the context of perspective plans, outlined the construction of new highway communications in the direction to Kazakhstan.
On October the 25th, 2021, in the course of the state visit to Ashgabat there were held negotiations between the President of Republic of Kazakhstan and the President of Turkmenistan. The transport and transit sector became one of the main topics of bilateral negotiations. Occupying a strategically significant geographical position, Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan intend to develop closer cooperation, taking into account the implementation of projects for international transport corridors. In this context, special attention is paid to the effective use of the potential of the Kazakhstan-Turkmenistan-Iran railway, which provides the shortest route to the countries of the Persian Gulf. The complete loading of the Kazakhstan-Turkmenistan-Iran highway has been specified as the main task, as well as the importance for optimizing tariff policy and improving transportation conditions in both countries in order to stimulate the growth of traffic volumes has been underlined.
As noted, at present, the works on activating the railway, multimodal transport communication China-Kazakhstan-Turkmenistan and further to the Persian Gulf, on increasing the volume of cargo transportation along this route are being carried out with the Chinese side. A legal basis for building up cooperation is being prepared in this direction.
Strengthening interaction between the Caspian ports of Aktau, Kuryk and Turkmenbashi are in the priority of logistic interaction.
For the purpose of further development of highway communications, Turkmenistan plans to build a bridge across the Garabogaz Bay in order to launch a new road in direction to Kazakhstan. Kazakhstan therefore, expressed its readiness to explore the possibilities for joint implementation with respect to this prospective project. During negotiations, a proposal to create the Special area for cross-border trade with a car cargo terminal in Mangistau region and in Balkan region has also been made.
In pursuit of development for cooperation in transport and logistics sector, Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan signed a number of memorandums and agreements between the relevant authorities.
