In Turkmenistan, at the "Farap" checkpoint on the border with Uzbekistan, hundreds of trucks have accumulated, with drivers unable to obtain visas to enter Uzbekistan. The issue is only affecting Turkmen citizens, reports the publication "Fergana" with reference to the Telegram channel LogiStan.
Since mid-April, drivers with Turkmen citizenship have been complaining that the Uzbek side refuses to issue them visas. The long queue that started then persists to this day.
Sources from LogiStan in Tashkent explained that Uzbek authorities do not issue visas because they consider it unfair that Uzbeks have to pay an average of $700-900 for permission to enter Turkmenistan, while Turkmens only pay $200 for an Uzbek visa.
“For example, in Turkmenistan, filling out a new CMR form costs $200, a route card — $200, a GPS device — $20, and so on. It should be noted that such fees are not charged in Uzbekistan. If Turkmen insurance costs $100, Uzbek insurance costs $15,” said a LogiStan source.
Moreover, the processing time for Turkmen visas ranges from 20 to 40 days, while Uzbek visas can be obtained in three days.
At the end of April, an agreement was supposed to be concluded to eliminate the imbalance of conditions, but the Turkmen delegation refused to sign the documents. "This is not the first time this has happened," noted one of the sources.
CentralasianLIGHT.org
May 22, 2024