A new Turkmen border crossing checkpoint called Farap, which is located in the territory of Farap district on the border with Uzbekistan, was ceremonially opened in the city of Turkmenabat. This state-of-the-art facility meets international standards and has all necessary conditions for the efficient work of staff and quality of border-crossing operations, including luggage and vehicles examination. This will raise the level of services of traffic passing through the Turkmen-Uzbek border, and put a firm barrier to trafficking in contraband, including drugs.
According to Public Affairs Section of the US Embassy in Turkmenistan, Farap border crossing checkpoint is the third checkpoint the construction and equipment of which was funded by the United States Government. The first border checkpoint “Altyn Asyr” was opened in 2006 on the border with Iran and the second border checkpoint “Imamnazar” was opened in 2007 on the border with Afghanistan.
In her opening remarks, the U.S. Charg d”Affaires, a.i., Sylvia Curran emphasized that “these checkpoints represent the continuing efforts between the United States and Turkmenistan to work together to battle against those forces which threaten the peace and stability of our countries.” The ceremony was also attended by the Director of the Central Asia Office, Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs at the U.S. State Department Mr. Tom Hushek, Rear Admiral Michael Franken representing the United States Central Command and Colonel Wroblewski representing the Nevada National Guard.
