Turkmen-Afghan Transit Talks Underway in Herat
Bilateral talks are taking place in Herat between delegations from Turkmenistan and Afghanistan, focusing on expanding transport and logistics cooperation, removing barriers to freight transport, and boosting regional trade routes.
According to the Afghan Voice Agency (AVA), representatives from the ministries of foreign affairs, industry and commerce, and transport, as well as officials from railway authorities, participated in the interagency consultations.
One of the key topics of the meeting was the simplification of visa procedures for international freight drivers and entrepreneurs. Reducing administrative barriers will help significantly cut downtime for cargo vehicles at the border, optimize logistics costs, and boost mutual trade.
The parties paid special attention to activating the "Lapis Lazuli" multimodal transit route. Stretching from Afghanistan through Turkmenistan, the Caspian Sea, Azerbaijan, and Georgia—with onward connections to Turkey and Europe—this corridor is viewed by Kabul and Ashgabat as a vital artery for integrating the region into the international land and maritime transport system.
Regarding the development of railway infrastructure, the participants discussed the progress of the Turkmenistan–Herat line project and the expansion of cross-border terminals. Herat Province, which shares a direct border with Turkmenistan, is strengthening its status as a major logistics hub connecting South Asia with Central Asia and the Caspian basin.
