DUSHANBE -- Tajikistan and Afghanistan are planning to build a new bridge across the Panj River to connect Khatlon Province, Tajikistan, with Takhar Province, Afghanistan, a source in the Tajik government told Asia-Plus Thursday (June 28).
Five bridges already span the river and connect the two countries.
Construction of a 180-metre bridge will start next year and will take four years, added the source.
"The European Union [EU] is expected to donate €16 million [169.9 million TJS]" to finance the bridge, he added.
Separately, EU officials and Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) representatives Sunday (June 24) in Kabul announced a joint contribution of about $16 million (146.6 million TJS) to promote cross-border trade and expand Afghan-Tajik economic co-operation, reported TOLOnews.
The donation launches the Supporting Co-operation and Opportunities for Regional Economic Development programme, a long-term social and economic Afghan-Tajik development project.