China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway to increase regional trade, investments - Mirziyoyev

TASHKENT. Dec 27 (Interfax) - Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev has sent a greeting message to the participants in a groundbreaking ceremony of a railway to link China, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan, particularly highlighting its importance for promoting regional cooperation.

"A new transport artery of international significance is taking shape. Serving as the shortest land link between Central Asia and China, it will help expand multifaceted cooperation and bolster strategic partnership between our states," the Uzbek presidential press service quoted Mirziyoyev as saying on Friday.

The Uzbek leader said the new railway should have a major positive effect on the regional economies. "The commissioning of this railway should multiply regional trade and investment, considerably reduce transportation costs, and unleash huge transit potential of Central Asia," he said.

The integration of this rail line with the Trans-Afghan transport corridor in the future would effectively enhance interconnectivity between China, Central Asia, and South Asia, Mirziyoyev said. "Uzbekistan intends to actively engage in all stages of the railroad's construction, fully employing all available technical and intellectual resources," he said.