Tashkent, Uzbekistan, August 4
By Demir Azizov- Trend:
Tashkent and Berlin are holding talks on the revision of provisions of the agreement on the use of freight transshipment by Germany on the base of Termez airport (south of Uzbekistan on the border with Afghanistan), Uzbek websites report with reference to informed sources.
In particular, Uzbek side proposes to increase the rental charge for the airport "in order to maintain the infrastructure" of this strategic military facility.
"Several rounds of meetings and negotiations have been held on the issue during which the Uzbek representatives put forward strong cases for the revision of the agreement and increase in rental charges. Unfortunately, the German side has delayed the consideration of Tashkent`s proposals under unfounded pretexts for over a year," the sources said.
With reference to the experts, the sources drew attention to the fact that Germany is more interested in maintaining its presence at the airport than Uzbekistan, which is considered strategically important point for the transportation of non-military goods of NATO troops, one active member of which is Germany.
Earlier, it was reported that the issue of German companies and representatives` participation in the expansion of Termez airport was discussed by the Uzbek Foreign Ministry and Special Envoy for Eastern Europe, Caucasus and Central Asia at the German Foreign Office, Cord Meier-Klodt.
The Uzbek Government plans to invest $10.4 million in the creation of international logistics center at the Termez Airport by 2016. The financing of the project is planned to be conducted partially at the expense of the European Commission.
Since 2001, Uzbekistan has provided the German Air Force use of the civilian airport near the city of Termez for transition of non-military goods. The official lease agreement was signed in February 2002.
A new agreement on the use of the airport was signed in April 2010, terms of which were not disclosed. About 300 soldiers of the Bundeswehr are located on the Termez base. Since the initiation of use, Germany has invested 12 million euros for its modernization, mainly for the upgrading of air strips.
Earlier, some media reported the interest of U.S. Armed Forces located near the Afghan border in the Uzbek airport.
The comments of Uzbek authorities on these issues currently are not available.
Edited by CN