Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- Uzbekistan and Tajikistan intend to simplify transit freight transportation, the press service of the Ministry of Transport of Tajikistan said.

During the last visit of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev to Tajikistan, the transport ministers of the two countries signed a protocol on amendments and additions to the intergovernmental agreement on international road transport from 8 March 2018.

According to the signed protocol, transit cargo vehicles will be able to freely pass through the territories of both states without the need to obtain special permits. This will become possible after ratification of the protocol by both countries.

Previously, special permits were required for transportation between Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, including transit cargo transportation.

However, thanks to the simplification of procedures, the delivery time of goods will be significantly reduced, and the risks of damage to goods will be reduced.

These steps are being taken as part of Tajikistan’s strategic goals to develop a transit transport route through the region, the department said in a statement.

In light of the strengthening of cooperation between Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, more than 1,200 transit cargo transportations are carried out annually through the territories of both countries.

Currently, the transportation of goods between Tajikistan and a number of CIS countries and the Russian Federation, as well as their transit through these territories, is carried out without the need to obtain special permits.