President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev has reportedly called for an expedited implementation of a simplified border-crossing system utilizing ID cards between Uzbekistan and Tajikistan. This announcement was made during a high-level meeting with Tajikistan's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sirojiddin Muhriddin, who arrived in Tashkent to participate in the C5+1 foreign ministers' conference.
According to the Uzbek leader, the pressing need for such streamlined transit procedures stems directly from the ongoing expansion of freight transportation and commercial logistics between the two neighbouring nations. Officials noted that bilateral relations have evolved significantly compared to previous decades when interstate borders were largely restricted.
Furthermore, the discussion highlighted the deep-rooted familial and cultural ties connecting populations on both sides of the frontier. President Mirziyoyev allegedly emphasized that nearly every household maintains close relatives across the border, creating a social imperative for more accessible travel mechanisms.
Statistical data released for the first nine months of the year indicates that nearly 6 million citizens of Uzbekistan traveled abroad for tourism and personal reasons. The vast majority of these regional trips were directed toward neighboring Central Asian states, specifically Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, and Tajikistan.
Source: podrobno.uz