Kyrgyzstan and Turkmenistan Discuss Transport Corridor to Europe via Caspian

BT
Kyrgyzstan and Turkmenistan Discuss Transport Corridor to Europe via Caspian
Video conference negotiations between Mammethan Chakyyev, Director General of the Agency for Transport and Communications, and Bakyt Torobayev, Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Kyrgyz Republic, November 13, 2024 (Photo: gov.kg)

Kyrgyzstan and Turkmenistan have initiated discussions to establish a new transport route connecting Central Asia to European markets through the Caspian Sea.

The press service of the Kyrgyz government reported that officials discussed this issue during an online meeting on Wednesday. Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of Turkmenistan Mammethan Chakyyev met with Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Kyrgyz Republic Bakyt Torobayev, who also serves as the Minister of Water Resources, Agriculture, and Processing Industry.

The project envisions the creation of a multimodal corridor utilizing the port of Turkmenbashy, with the potential to reach European countries via the Azerbayjan port of Alyat.

Torobayev and Chakyyev discussed a wide range of issues related to bilateral cooperation, placing particular emphasis on the development of transport and logistics infrastructure. The parties highlighted the strategic importance of increasing cargo flow through the Caspian Sea to enhance regional trade.

A key topic of discussion involved preferential rates for Kyrgyz carriers at the port of Turkmenbashy. This initiative could significantly improve the attractiveness of the new route connecting Kyrgyzstan to Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, and Russia, or provide an alternative route through Azerbaijan to Europe.

The two officials also covered potential cooperation in energy, agriculture, and trade. Participants expressed their belief that implementing the proposed transport projects would strengthen economic ties between Kyrgyzstan and Turkmenistan and expand their export opportunities.

During the negotiations, officials addressed cooperation in the fields of energy, agriculture, and trade. Participants expressed the view that implementing the discussed transport projects would significantly strengthen economic ties between the two countries and expand their export capacities.

2022