Turkmenistan’s Role in Regional Connectivity in the Orient
The Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) is actively working to enhance regional connectivity and trade facilitation in Turkmenistan, according to the Secretary General of ECO, Asad Majid Khan. In a recent interview with Trend, Khan emphasized the importance of Turkmenistan’s role as a strategic hub in regional connectivity and its active involvement in ECO transport initiatives.
ECO is focusing on optimizing existing transit corridors, such as the Tejen-Serakhs-Mashhad and Kazakhstan-Turkmenistan-Iran railway routes, while also exploring new initiatives to enhance multimodal transport networks. These efforts aim to integrate these routes into the broader ECO transport system, promoting smoother trade flows and strengthening regional economic ties.
One of the key priorities for ECO is the development of the East-West transport corridor, which connects Persian Gulf ports with Central Asia, contributing to trade between East and West. Additionally, the organization is working on the North-South transport corridor to improve connectivity between Central Asian countries and Persian Gulf ports.
As part of its cooperation with Turkmenistan, ECO is working on implementing the Framework Agreement on Transit Transport to enhance trade, communication, and energy cooperation within the region. This agreement aims to optimize administrative procedures, simplify customs processes, reduce delays and costs, and harmonize rules with international standards.
Furthermore, ECO is focusing on expanding cooperation with Turkmenistan to create joint border zones with other countries in the region, following the successful model of the Turkmenistan-Uzbekistan border zones. These initiatives are aimed at attracting investment, diversifying Turkmenistan’s economy, and promoting regional trade.
Overall, ECO’s efforts in enhancing regional connectivity, improving transport networks, and deepening regional integration are expected to create a more interconnected and prosperous region. The organization will continue to work on resolving logistical challenges, improving border infrastructure, and simplifying customs processes to facilitate regional trade and connectivity.
Under the leadership of President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov, the country is implementing a comprehensive approach to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). To address challenges and find solutions to achieve the SDGs in the ECO region by 2030, Turkmenistan will host the first ECO Sustainable Development Forum in the city of Arkadag on April 28-29. This forum is crucial for discussing long-overdue issues within ECO and aiming for sustainable development in the region.
