Afghanistan launches Lapis Lazuli transit route to Europe via Georgia
Afghanistan opened the new international trade route of Lapis Lazuli today. Photo: Lapis Lazuli/Twitter.
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More than 175 tonnes of cotton, dried fruit and sesame are the first export products that Afghanistan will deliver to Europe through the Lapis Lazuli transit route which passes through Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan and Georgia.
Afghanistan opened the new international trade route of Lapis Lazuli today.
US Ambassador to the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan John R. Bass wrote about the launch of new transit route on his official Twitter account.
Welcome today’s launch of the new Lapis Lazuli Trade Route by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry that #Afghanistan will use to ship goods to Europe. Economic connectivity and development is key to building a peaceful, stable Afghanistan.
— John R. Bass (@USAmbKabul) December 13, 2018
The route begins in Aqina and Turghundi ports in the Afghan provinces of Faryab and Herat and crosses Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan, Georgia and Turkey. It involves road, rail, and maritime transport.
Georgia became part of the Lapis Lazuli Corridor last year, after five nations, Georgia, Afghanistan, Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan and Turkey signed the major agreement in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan.
The route to the Central Asian & Caucasus, the path to regional prosperity #LapisLazuliRoute @RECCAfghanistan @mfa_afghanistan pic.twitter.com/GuLcuozbG3
— Lapis Lazuli Route (@RouteLapisL) April 4, 2018