Central Asian countries have started modernizing checkpoints between the countries. For example, Uzbekistan started upgrading their checkpoints on the border with Kazakhstan. The modernization was due to the increase in tourist numbers and trade growth. Today, there are six checkpoints operating nonstop between the two countries. Among them, four checkpoints are designed for transportation of heavy cargo. Earlier, a roadmap was developed based on the intergovernmental agreement providing for the restructuring of four checkpoints. Moreover, with the increase of the transport traffic, the Gisht-Kuprik – Silk Road checkpoint is being expanded. After modernization, it will have the capacity to provide services for 40,000 people a day. RUSTAM KABULOV, HEAD OF CUSTOMS CONTROL DEPARTMENT, UZBEKISTAN: – Cooperation between the countries has reached a new level. The presidents of our countries set specific tasks of increasing trade. The analysis that we conducted demonstrates that compared to last year the transport traffic increased by 61 per cent at the checkpoints located between Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. Meanwhile, the checkpoints at the border between Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan will also be upgraded. The checkpoints are crossed by some 20,000 people and up to 900 vehicles daily. The operation format of the checkpoints had to be changed following Kyrgyzstan’s accession to the Eurasian Economic Union. The border system upgrade of Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan was done based on the Eurasian system requirements of checking people and freight transports. In the next stage, large checkpoints will also be upgraded such as the Akzhol checkpoint in Kordai village of Zhambyl region. NURLANBEK ZHALBIYEV, HEAD OF STATE BORDER SERVICE DIRECTORATE, KYRGYZSTAN: – The two countries will conduct modernization and reconstruction of their checkpoints to create favourable conditions for the people that cross the state borders. Moreover, the capacities of these checkpoints will also be increased. Another example of the operations improvement at the Akzhol checkpoints is the separation of passenger and vehicles. Freight vehicles were redirected to two other checkpoints, such as Ak-Tilek and Tokmok. It demonstrates how the countries create a favourable environment for the border cooperation.
