Central Asian-Gulf transit corridor pact signed 

(MENAFN - Khaleej Times) Three states in the Gulf, including Oman, have reached an agreement with two Central Asian countries to create a new international transport and transit corridor for goods and passengers.

The deal, signed in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, on Monday among the sultanate, Qatar, Iran, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan, is expected to speed up passenger and cargo traffic between the Central Asian states and the ports of Iran and Sea of Oman, officials said. It will also reduce transportation costs and "consolidate the efficiency of the transit and transport capabilities of the member states," officials added.

Minister Responsible for Foreign Affairs Yusuf bin Alawi bin Abdallah signed the accord for Oman, while Rashid Meredov, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister, signed for Turkmenistan, Ali Akbar Salehi, Foreign Minister for Iran, Mohammed bin Abdullah Rumaihi, Assistant Foreign Minister for Follow-Up Affairs, for Qatar, and Ganiev Elyor Majidovich, Foreign Minister, for Uzbekistan.

Abdallah, the Omani minister, in remarks, underlined the significance of the agreement for all the member states, pointing out that it would "promote trade cooperation among them, besides shortening distance."

Abdallah made clear that the pact was not a 'closed one', but was open to other states who wished to join it in the future. The accord was signed after a session of talks among the foreign ministers of the five member states in Ashgabat.