The Transitional Islamic State of Afghanistan, the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Republic of Uzbekistan hereinafter referred to as "the Contracting Parties",

believing in friendly relations and mutual understanding and the necessity of mutually beneficial cooperation,

having respect to independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity as well as non-interference into internal affairs of each other which constitute the basis of relations among nations,

expressing their desire to speed up far-reaching expansion of commercial and economic relations to the benefit of their nations and the region,

emphasizing on the vital importance of cooperation in the field of transportation and transit, in accordance with international rules and standards,

rnaking accessible the communications and international maritime markets for the people of the region,

as well as in order to coordinate efforts to create international transportation routes via Afghanistan as a necessary element to contribute to the regional economic development,

have agreed as follows:

The Contracting Parties, on the basis of mutually beneficial cooperation, shall take joint measures in order to speed up the creation of international transportation routes via their states and to provide for access to Europe, Central Asian countries, Persian Gulf and the Sea of Oman ports and international maritime links,

In order to expand road routes "Chahbahar-Milak-Delaram-Herat-Sheberghan-Mazare Sharif-Termez-Tashkent", "Bandar Abbas-Dogharoun-Herat-Sheberghan-Mazare Sharif-Termez-Tashkent", "Bazargan-Tehran-Mashad-Dogharoun-Herat-Sheberghan-Mazare Sharif-Termez-Tashkent" and to study the railroad "Sangan-Herat-Tashkent" in all the mentioned four routes, from Tashkent or Uzbekistan's territory to border of Uzbekistan's neighboring countries as main elements of international transportation routes via Afghanistan, the Contracting Parties have agreed to coordinate their efforts along with protecting their own national interests.

The Contracting Parties, in compliance with their national interests, have agreed to take joint measures towards active attraction of investments necessary for the creation of the international transportation routes via Afghanistan and its inclusion in the existing international transport networks.

The Contracting Parties shall entrust their own respective authorities to identify the main technical standards of roads specified in Article 2, description of services for route studies to construct, renovate and utilize from routes via Afghanistan as well as engineering studies to determine the volume of passenger and freight traJfic through the routes mentioned in this Agreement. The Contracting Parties, in accordance with the needs, demands and approved programs of their own respective countries shall expand transportation infrastructures in their own countries.

In order to implement this Agreement, the Contracting Parties shall appoint the following competent authorities:

On behalf of the Transitional Islamic State of Afghanistan — Ministry of Public works;

On behalf of the Islamic Republic of Iran — Ministry of Roads and Transportation;

On behalf of the Republic of Uzbekistan — the State Joint Stock Concern "UZAVTOYUL".

The Contracting Parties shall establish Interstate Coordination Council (hereinafter referred to as "the Council"). The Council shall consist of the competent authorities mentioned in Article 5. The Chairmanship of the Council shall be undertaken by the host country and its chairman to be appointed for the period of six months. The Contracting Parties shall authorize the Council to draft the Council's regulations and to introduce the implementary instruments of this Agreement. The Council holds its meeting at least once per 6 months.

This Agreement may be amended and supplemented through drafting separate protocols being the integral part of this Agreement by mutual consent of the Contracting Parties and observing Article 10 of this Agreement.

All issues arising out of the application and interpretation of the provisions of this Agreement shall be settled only by consultations and negotiations.

The Transitional Islamic State of Afghanistan, the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Republic of Uzbekistan are designated as depositary states of this Agreement.

Each depositary state shall notify the other depositary states about the termination of this Agreement, appointment of competent authorities and any other requests.

Other states may also access to this Agreement. The accession shall be fulfilled by sending written request of the interested country to one of the three depositary states and the said depositary state shall notify the other two depositary states about the intention of such country. As soon as the written consent of depositary states is received, the interested country shall be notified about that by a written notice.

The accession shall be valid on the 30^th day after the date of submission of such written notice.

This Agreement shall enter into force after its conclusion and by observing Contracting Parties' internal rules and regulations. It shall be valid for the period of ten years and by consent of depositary states and new members that access to this Agreement later, it shall be extended for similar periods.

This Agreement and its amendments and annexes which are attached to it by drafting separate protocols and also projects implemented, should not be contrary to national rules and regulations of depositary or member states.

If any of the Contracting Parties submits its written request to either depositary state to terminate this Agreement, it shall be invalid on the territory of this country after six months.

Done at Tehran on 18/06/2003 corresponding to 2B/03/L382, in three copies in Farsi,/Dari, Uzbek and English Ianguages, all texts being equally authentic. In case of divergence in interprelati-on, ol this Agreement, the English text shall prevail