Baghdad: The Ministry of Transport held talks with Kyrgyzstan on Friday to facilitate the transit of trucks and strengthen Iraq’s role as a regional trade corridor. The ministry said in a statement received by the Iraqi News Agency (INA) that it discussed with the Kyrgyz side, via videoconference, ways to enhance bilateral cooperation and develop overland transport between the two countries, with the participation of officials from relevant departments and authorities.

According to Iraqi News Agency, the meeting highlighted the role of the State Company for Land Transport, represented by Abbas Khazal Hassan, deputy head of its Planning and Follow-up Department, who attended the meeting in line with senior management directives. Hassan stressed the importance of drafting and concluding a comprehensive international agreement covering both freight and passenger transport, rather than limiting cooperation to partial arrangements, to ensure greater efficiency and a more comprehensive framework for transit and land transport.

The talks focused on facilitating the passage of Kyrgyz trucks through Iraqi territory to Gulf Arab states and streamlining technical and customs procedures at border crossings to reduce transit times and costs, thereby strengthening Iraq’s position as a vital trade corridor and regional link between Central Asia and the region.

The ministry said the Kyrgyz side welcomed the proposal put forward by the representative of the State Company for Land Transport. The two sides agreed that Kyrgyzstan would provide Iraq with a draft comprehensive agreement covering freight and passenger transport for review and discussion at upcoming meetings, ahead of its formal conclusion.