Tokayev wants to join Mirziyoyev's “Project of the century”

Kazakhstan is ready to join the Trans-Afghan railway project connecting Central and South Asia. President of the country, Kasim-Jomart Tokayev, said this in his speech today, 21 July, at the Consultative meeting of the leaders of the Central Asian countries in Cholponota, Kyrgyzstan.

Tokayev said that it is necessary to increase the transport connections of the region and consistently improve transit conditions.

"One glance at the map shows the unique geographical location of Central Asia.  In the new geopolitical reality, the role of our region in promoting and developing transcontinental trade is rapidly growing," said Tokayev.

He pointed out that under such conditions, Kazakhstan is actively developing the Trans-Caspian international transport route, and noted that since 2017, container transportation along these routes has almost tripled.

"In addition, Kazakhstan is ready to participate in the construction of the railway "Mazari Sharif-Kabul-Peshawar."  In particular, we will continuously supply railway superstructures with materials and supply rolling stock," said Tokayev.

It should be noted that at the beginning of 2021, Uzbekistan, Afghanistan, and Pakistan signed the "road map" for the new transport corridor: Termiz - Mazari-Sharif - Kabul - Peshawar.

On 18 July of this year, on determining the direction and technical and economic basis of the joint project of Uzbekistan, Pakistan, and Afghanistan on the establishment of the "Termiz-Peshawar" railway connection in the territory of Afghanistan the expedition began.

The project should connect the European Union, and Russia with the countries of Central Asia, as well as India and the countries of Southeast Asia.

Uzbekistan planned to build a railway through Afghanistan and reach the sea.  Several large projects have been prepared for this purpose.  In July 2021 in Tashkent city major international conference "Central and South Asia: regional connection.  Threats and opportunities" was aimed at the implementation of these projects.  In addition, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, during his visit to the Surkhandarya region in June of last year, praised the construction of the Mazari-Sharif - Kabul - Peshawar railway, which could link Uzbekistan to the sea, and called it the "project of the century."  This railway line starts from Termiz, the administrative center of Surkhandarya region.