On 18-19 April, 2011 Mr. Eduard Biriucov, Secretary General of the PS IGC TRACECA made a working visit to Sofia, Republic of Bulgaria

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During the meetings, the parties discussed priority issues of cooperation in the context of development of the international transport corridor “Europe-Caucasus-Asia", other issues, strategic and integration prospects of the region for further implementation of the idea of the Great Silk Road development.

Taking into account the results of the First Investment Forum held in Brussels, on 12 October 2010, participants of the meetings discussed the preparation for the Second Investment Forum, stressed the necessity of joint efforts of all concerned national and international organizations involved in the traffic development and the increase of the TRACECA corridor competitiveness and attractiveness.

Mr. Biriucov stated that the Permanent Secretariat, as well as the TRACECA countries are preparing for the meeting of the Permanent Representatives (National Secretaries) of the PS IGC TRACECA, which will be held in early June this year. In this context, parties also touched upon the issues of further reform of the structures of the IGC TRACECA, institutional strengthening of the corridor, exchanged views on the possibilities of coming to a common understanding with regards the existing barriers on the way of freight transport along the TRACECA corridor. Secretary General emphasized the importance of the contribution of Bulgaria to the processes of development of the corridor as a member country of the European Union, the promotion of best practices the country has in various fields of transport.

Following the meetings, the Parties defined the main directions of joint activities aimed at the implementation of the basic provisions of the Basic Multilateral Agreement on International Transport for Development of the Europe-Caucasus-Asia corridor under the chairmanship of the Republic of Moldova in the Intergovernmental Commission, as well as the Action Plan for the year of 2011.

On the outcomes of the meetings, the parties noted the key role of all state structures of MLA member-states in the implementation of the goals and objectives of the TRACECA Strategy up to 2015.