Uzbekistan, Turkey move to ease border procedures at Sarp crossing

Uzbekistan and Turkey agreed to step up cooperation to simplify procedures for drivers at the Sarp border crossing after talks between officials, following a visit by Uzbek diplomats to the crossing in Artvin province.

The crossing, one of the busiest transit points between Turkey and Georgia, plays a strategic role in cargo flows from Central Asia to Europe and Black Sea ports. Around 3,000 Uzbek freight trucks passed through the checkpoint last year, according to Dunyo.

During the visit, Uzbek diplomats met with customs officials and representatives of the Sarp border police. The sides discussed ways to speed up border procedures, digitalization, cargo security, and drivers' conditions, while the Turkish side outlined steps to improve traffic management at the crossing.

The visit also included meetings with Uzbek drivers in the border area, who shared feedback on infrastructure, services, and processing times. No major issues have been reported by Uzbek carriers, and procedures are currently operating stably, the report said.

Despite shifts in international logistics routes linked to the geopolitical situation in the Middle East, cargo traffic through the Sarp checkpoint has remained stable, underscoring its importance as a reliable transit corridor for Uzbekistan’s exports and imports.