Enlargement of interaction with the MLA member states, observers in the IGC and partner organizations is one of the priorities in the realization of the TRACECA strategic objectives

The discussions related to the initiatives’ issues and current activity of TRACECA, cooperation projects within the Europe-the Caucasus-Asia corridor, conditions of interaction along the East-West directions in the region.

The exchange of views touched upon trade and transport capacities of TRACECA countries along the Europe-the Caucasus-Asia corridor, as well as the issues of mutual trade turnover.  

The discussions of Mr Assavbayev with H.E. Mr Navikas were focused on the priorities for acceleration of the dynamic in the corridor development. Those are, in particular, containerization of cargo, harmonization of transport legislation, removal of the bottlenecks and facilitation of the border crossing procedures, large-scale application of electronic multilateral permits for carriage, implementation of a single document for multimodal transport.

The improvement and consolidation of the transport dialogue with the European Commission, programmes beneficiaries, IFI, potential investors, partners within the framework of the concluded memorandums, as well as the increase of participation of the observer states in the IGC TRACECA, including active involvement of Lithuania, will open up additional opportunities for interregional integration and increase of transit attractiveness of the corridor.

The Secretary General underlined, that the participation of Lithuania as an observer and assistance of diplomatic missions of the EU member states in Azerbaijan will have a positive impact on strengthening of cooperation both with the EU institutions, and the realization of the strategic objectives. With the view of interacting effectively the Permanent Secretariat initiated the dialogue on 4 TA projects and expects to obtain the outcome of the discussions on the project proposals in the near future.

The Parties noted the importance of the container train “Viking train” – a joint project of the Lithuanian, Byelorussian and Ukrainian Railways, port transhipment companies, ports of Klaipeda, Odessa and Ilychevsk, connecting the Baltic and Black Seas by railways.

On the outcome of the exchange of views Mr Assavbayev and Mr Navikas expressed their hope for expansion of cooperation on the issues of mutual interest.