17.02.2011, 15:13 4666

Qatar willing to partner in Kazakh-Turkmen-Iran railway

Qatar says it is willing to help construct Kazakh-Turkmen-Iran railway that will be used to transport goods from Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan to world markets, Kazakhstan Today reports.

Almaty. February 17. Kazakhstan Today - Qatar says it is willing to help construct Kazakh-Turkmen-Iran railway that will be used to transport goods from Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan to world markets, Kazakhstan Today reports.

Qatar is eager to participate in Central Asia's proposed North-South railway link to the Persian Gulf, a top official from the Gulf state said in Turkmenistan, media sources reported on Wednesday, Central Asia Newswire reported.

The 620-mile railway line will initially be used by Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan to transport goods across Iranian territory to Persian Gulf ports and out to world markets.

But project partners say the route will become a major international transportation corridor connecting China with Europe.

Qatari Minister of State for International Cooperation Khalid Bin Mohammad Al-Attiyah expressed the kingdom's willingness to help construct the international railway corridor during a meeting with Turkmen leader this week, the Iranian Fars News Agency reported on Wednesday.

Much of the North-South railway route has been laid and the line is expected to be completed by the end of this year.

Beginning in Western Kazakhstan, the railway line will stretch 130 miles southwards to the border with Turkmenistan. The route will continue south through 435 miles of Turkmen territory to its border with Iran. Some 55 miles later, the line will end at the Persian Gulf.

Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan and Iran agreed the rail link at a summit meeting in the Iranian capital Tehran in September 2007.

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