Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Iran, Oman still intending to create new transport corridor
TASHKENT. Aug 6 (Interfax) - Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Iran, and Oman will work on creating a new transport corridor.
The four countries' foreign ministers signed in Muscat (Oman) on Wednesday a memorandum on mutual understanding regarding the agreement on creating Uzbekistan-Turkmenistan-Iran-Oman transport corridor coming into effect, the Uzbek Foreign Ministry posted a statement on its website.
"As it was emphasized at the meeting, the implementation of this document, will become a milestone event in the inter-regional relations, will allow expanding considerably mutually beneficial ties between the states of the vast region and will give strong impetus to the economic development of the participating countries," the document said.
The agreement on setting up Uzbekistan-Turkmenistan-Iran-Oman railroad corridor was signed in Ashgabat at a four-party meeting of foreign ministers on April 25, 2011.
The proposal to open this transport corridor was made by the Uzbek president during his visit to Ashgabat in October 2010. According to Uzbekistan, setting up railroad traffic between Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan and southern ports of Iran will assist creating an important link between states of the Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman and all Central Asian countries.
According to expert assessments, successful implementation of this international project will allow expanding trade and economic cooperation between countries participating in the corridor, increasing transit cargo flow and providing them with a new way to global markets.