Members of the European Union funded TRACECA Road Safety II project team visited Azerbaijan between 11-13th of August 2014

During the visit, the project team experts: team leader Dr. Alan Ross and regional coordinator MS Mariya Ivchenko had a series of meetings and discussions with some of the key road safety stakeholders in Azerbaijan including Ministry of Transport, General Department of State Traffic Police MIA, Azerbaijan International Road Carriers Association, etc. The purpose of the meetings was to get a better understanding of the particular issues, problems and constraints of each organization preventing them doing more on road safety and the assistance and capacity building needed from the project.

In order to have a further discussion on road safety issues with a larger number of the key road safety stakeholders in Azerbaijan a round table was organized by TRACECA National Secretary Mr. Akif Mustafayev, that had representatives of the key governmental organizations as well as private sector and local academics. Dr Ross and Miss Ivchenko gave a presentation on the TRACECA road safety project and the lessons that can be learned from international experience of the countries who have been most successful in dealing with their road safety issues. There was a follow-up discussion with the key stakeholders to confirm current problems in each sector and to identify their capacity strengthening needs. Discussions were also held with the Country TRACECA Secretary about establishing a multi-disciplinary expert group with whom the project team can work to prepare a national action planning workshop to be held in Azerbaijan 1-5 December 2014.  

During their visit to Baku the project experts have also had some technical discussions with Mr. Eduard Biriucov, TRACECA Secretary General and the TRACECA Permanent Secretariat to brief them about the current project progress and the planned activities and training courses to be held in each of the beneficiary countries in the coming months. The opportunity was also taken to have more detailed  discussions with  the experts at the Permanent Secretariat  and to get their  advice and insights into how best to ensure effective implementation of the project to maximize its impact across the region.