On 14-15 November 2017 upon official invitation of H.E. Mr. Meredov, Minister of MFA Turkmenistan and H.E. Mr. Rabbani, Minister of MFA Afghanistan, Mr. Ciopraga, had an official visit to Turkmenistan to participate to RECCA VII Conference

Among important cases within TRACECA activities, Mr. Ciopraga mentioned the status of accession of Afghanistan to TRACECA as full member, signed Memorandum of Understanding between PS IGC TRACECA and SRCIC, active cooperation with international, regional organizations, including UNOHRLLS, CAREC, Crans Montana Forum and efforts of the Permanent Secretariat to attract International Financial Institutions for funding infrastructure projects.  

Mr. Ciopraga also emphasized that regional cooperation between five Central Asian Republics being the landlocked countries, as well as between Afghanistan, Iran and Turkmenistan opens up new trends and opportunities to use the results of expanding trade and economic relations. This unique opportunity appeared owing to economic reforms and political transformations in Central Asia, as well as in the countries of the adjacent region.

During the official visit to Ashgabat, Mr. Ciopraga met with H.E. Mr. Meredov, Deputy Chairman of Cabinet of Ministers and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan.

H.E. Mr. Meredov and Mr. Ciopraga had discussion on the key issues of the ensuring the development of transport system in Central Asia region - the role of international conventions in promoting and ensuring the safety of international trade and road transport, the impact of harmonized legal framework on traffic flows, identification of unused transport capacity as well as factors affecting the competitiveness of merchandising and transport corridors.  

It was also stressed the investment attractiveness of Turkmenistan and its benefit for neighboring countries. Realization of large infrastructural projects including in energy and transport within Turkmenistan investment strategy with participation of Afghanistan was highlighted as well as the construction of Turkmenistan – Afghanistan railroad with future extension to Tajikistan border. 

A special emphasis during the meeting was placed on the issues related to the strengthening of partner relations of Turkmenistan and TRACECA member-countries and active involvement of Turkmenistan in TRACECA programme. Mr. Meredov added that since the beginning, Turkmenistan is an active member of TRACECA Programme and TRACECA corridor is very important bridge between East and West both for Turkmenistan and whole Eurasian region. 

Mr. Ciopraga and Mr. Meredov stressed that continuation of further involvement of Turkmenistan in TRACECA activities will have direct contribution to the effective development of the whole logistics chain of the corridor. 

On the outcomes of the RECCA VII Conference, the participants had adopted Declaration on Deepening Connectivity and Expanding Trade through Investment in Infrastructure and Improving Synergy.