On the situation with regard to transit of railcars bound for the Republic of Tajikistan through

the territory of the Republic of Uzbekistan

Tashkent, August 16, 2010

Despite the measures taken by “Uzbekistan temir yullari” (“Uzbekistan Railways”) State Joint-Stock Company on arranging the transit of freights bound to Tajikistan in a timely manner, Tajik officials and some mass media outlets are continuing to disseminate groundless statements and false accusations against Uzbekistan on withholdings the freights and causing unjustified delays of railcars on its territory.

Transit of freights bound to Dushanbe and Sogd areas of Tajikistan through Kudukli and Bekabad railway stations on the Uzbek-Tajik border is carried out in a timely manner and without any delays.

Despite the need to undertake repair works on reconstruction of line superstructure and artificial facilities on Termez – Amuzang area brought about by abundant precipitation and mudflow streams, the necessary measures have been taken aimed at effective tackling the issues in terms of letting pass the railcars with destination up to Southern regions of Tajikistan and such measures are being continued by “Uzbekistan temir yullari” State Joint-Stock Company.

During reconstruction period, thanks to the efforts of “Uzbekistan temir yullari” State Joint-Stock Company 1337 railcars, including 322 railcars with food cargo, 607 railcars with combustive-lubricating materials, 261 – construction materials and 147 railcars with other cargo have been transferred through Amuzang border railway station to Tajikistan.

It should be noted that the volumes of transit freight trafficking to the Republic of Tajikistan increased by 2.7 percent in May 2010 in comparison with the same period of 2009, i.e. 220 tons more goods are being transferred to Tajikistan through Uzbek railways daily.

The facts show that Uzbekistan took and is continuing to take all necessary measures to ensure free flow of transit freights bound for Tajikistan through its territory. At that, Uzbekistan meets in full its commitments on fright transit despite objective difficulties, emerging on some areas of the railroad in terms of their maintenance, servicing, repair and reconstruction.
Such groundless statements and charges by the representatives of Tajikistan directed against Uzbekistan undermine the base of good neighborly and partnership relations between two countries and do not promote consolidation of mutual trust between two sides.