The Fourth Annual Meeting of the Intergovernmental Commission (IGC) TRACECA took place in Baku on 21-22 April 2005. The Meeting was attended by the official delegations of the Parties to the Basic Multilateral Agreement on International Transport for Development of the Europe-the Caucasus-Asia Corridor (MLA), the Islamic State of Afghanistan, the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan as candidates for joining the Basic Agreement, representatives of the European Commission and EU-financed project “Trade Facilitation and Institutional Support”. In addition, the representatives of international organizations and diplomatic missions accredited in Baku were invited to the Annual Meeting.

During the 4th Annual Meeting of the IGC TRACECA heads of delegations signed an agreement on Joint Financing of the Permanent Secretariat of the IGC TRACECA.

Mrs. Lyudmila Trenkova the Secretary General of the PS IGC TRACECA, reported on the implementation of the decisions of the Third Annual Meeting of IGC TRACECA. She reported as well about the activities and the disbursement of funds of the PS. The delegates were informed on projects and discussed possibilities of cooperation with the EC under conditions of the new EU Neighbourhood policy; considered institutional, legal, conceptual and other issues vital for further development of the international transport corridor Europe - the Caucasus - Asia (TRACECA) and discussed proposals on increasing the efficiency of procedures related to the implementation of decisions and recommendations of the IGC TRACECA.

The presidency in IGC TRACECA was taken over by the Republic of Azerbaijan with Mr. Abid Sharifov, Deputy Prime-Minister and the Head of the National Commission, as the Chairman-in-office.

Mrs. Lyudmila Trenkova was elected, as the Secretary General of the PS IGC TRACECA for the term of presidency of the Republic of Azerbaijan in the IGC TRACECA.

The Intergovernmental Commission TRACECA adopted the Final Resolutions on all issues discussed, signed by the new Chairman-in-office.

The IGC TRACECA, in its Baku Declaration and Final Communique, welcomed the aspirations of the Islamic State of Afghanistan and Islamic Republic of Iran to join the Basic Multilateral Agreement and expressed their support.