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Afghanistan and Turkmenistan have opened the first part of an ambitious new railway connecting the two countries for the first time.
It is hoped the $2bn (£1.6bn) project will boost trade and make it easier to export the rich energy resources of Turkmenistan, which currently relies heavily on China and Russia.
The railway, if completed, will extend all the way east to Tajikistan.
However, construction of the full line is hampered by security concerns.
The 88km (55 miles) of railway is the first of 400km of planned track. However, neither Tajikistan or Afghanistan have built their parts of the route, as Afghanistan contends with a resurgence of Taliban activity.
Tajikistan has said it will not construct its part of the line until Afghanistan returns to relative stability.
Afghanistan and Turkmenistan open first rail connection - BBC News
It is hoped the $2bn (£1.6bn) project will boost trade and make it easier to export the rich energy resources of Turkmenistan, which currently relies heavily on China and Russia.
The railway, if completed, will extend all the way east to Tajikistan.
However, construction of the full line is hampered by security concerns.
The 88km (55 miles) of railway is the first of 400km of planned track. However, neither Tajikistan or Afghanistan have built their parts of the route, as Afghanistan contends with a resurgence of Taliban activity.
Tajikistan has said it will not construct its part of the line until Afghanistan returns to relative stability.
Afghanistan and Turkmenistan open first rail connection - BBC News