Afghanistan and Turkmenistan have agreed to strengthen cooperation in transport and transit, following a two-day meeting between delegations from the two countries in the western Afghan city of Herat.

The talks focused on a broad range of transport and transit issues, with both sides emphasizing the importance of expanding cooperation and strengthening bilateral ties in the sector.

As part of the agreements reached, Afghanistan and Turkmenistan agreed to establish a joint commission on road transport to address issues related to road transportation and facilitate closer coordination between the two sides.

The delegations also discussed measures to ease the movement of drivers and traders between the two countries. They stressed the need to streamline visa procedures for transport workers and commercial operators involved in cross-border trade.

Increasing the movement of transit vehicles between Afghanistan and Turkmenistan was another key issue discussed during the meeting. The two sides agreed that facilitating the passage of vehicles could help improve trade and transit links and support greater economic cooperation.

The meeting reflects ongoing efforts by Kabul and Ashgabat to expand economic and commercial ties, particularly through transport routes connecting Afghanistan with Turkmenistan and wider regional markets.

Afghanistan, which is landlocked, has sought to strengthen its transit links with neighboring countries as part of efforts to diversify trade routes and expand regional economic cooperation. Turkmenistan, meanwhile, has increasingly positioned its transport infrastructure and regional connectivity projects as a means of linking Central Asia with South Asia and other international markets.

The establishment of the joint commission is expected to provide a mechanism for the two sides to address road transport issues and coordinate future measures aimed at facilitating cross-border movement.

The agreements reached in Herat could further strengthen transport links between Afghanistan and Turkmenistan and contribute to increased trade and transit activity along their shared regional routes. (ILKHA)