New railway corridor connects Turkmenistan, Afghanistan

By Aysenur Saglam

TURKMENABAT, Turkmenistan

The first phase of the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Tajikistan railway line opened on Monday at the Imam Nazar-Aqina border crossing between Turkmenistan and Afghanistan.

“The great Silk Road is being rebuilt. This railway line will support not only the participating countries' economies but also Asia, Europe and other neighboring countries' economic growth,” President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow said.

"In addition to the economic integration of the states, it will also serve to strengthen the friendship," he said.

He highlighted the necessity for a rapid growth transportation sector to facilitate sustainable development and the regional socio-economic integration.

The total length of the railway corridor project is expected to be around 700 kilometers (435 miles). The first phase of the project is 88-kilometer (55-mile) long.

The opening ceremony was also attended by Afghan President Ashraf Ghani.

Ghani said the railway line would boost trade, dialogue, and friendship among the participating countries.

"This is a historical day. We appreciate the development and successes of Turkmenistan, the country that we can trust the most," he said.