On 2 November 2023, in Tashkent (Republic of Uzbekistan), TRACECA took part in the 12th Meeting of Ministers of Transport of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO)

The conference was attended by heads of transport ministries and departments, major public and private transport, logistics and aviation companies, representatives of international financial institutions, international organizations and other interested parties.

At the opening session, the Secretary General of the ECO, Khusrav Noziri, and the Minister of Transport of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Ilkhom Mahkamov, delivered a welcoming speech to the participants of the Meeting. Next, the floor was given to the heads of delegations and heads of international organizations, including the Secretary General of the PS IGC TRACECA, Asset Assavbayev.

During his speech, the Secretary General expressed gratitude to the organizers of the Meeting, shared with the participants the information about the work done and plans for the implementation of initiatives, in particular the digitalization of the ITC TRACECA, the development of container transport, increasing the efficiency of maritime transport, etc.
 
The Secretary General noted “by uniting the countries of Europe, the Caucasus and Central Asia, TRACECA ensures the integration of the transport infrastructure of the ECO countries with the European region, adhering to similar goals for the transformation of major transport corridors, as envisaged in ECO Vision 2025”.

“Simplification of border crossing procedures and formalities at border crossings, harmonization of customs procedures, development of transport connectivity remain important issues that require joint decisions coordinated at the international level. Therefore, I propose to work together on the indicated areas,” emphasized A.A. Assavbayev.
 
Along with this, an exchange of views took place on the issues of expanding cooperation in the field of transport and trade, developing existing transport corridors in the region and creating new ones, their effective use, strengthening international cooperation, etc.

Following the meeting, the Tashkent Declaration and the Final Report of the Meeting of the ECO Transport Ministers were adopted.

Within the framework of the visit to Tashkent, a bilateral meeting was held between the Secretary General of the PS IGC TRACECA and the ECO Secretary General, Mr. Khusrav Noziri, during which the current activities of both organizations were discussed, as well as prospects for further cooperation within the framework of the Memorandum of Understanding.
 

For reference:

•    Memorandum of Understanding between PS IGC TRACECA and ECO was signed on 16 June 2009, in Issyk-Kul, Kyrgyzstan.
The text of the MoU can be found here: http://www.traceca-org.org/fileadmin/fm-dam/pdfs/Memorandums/Memmorandum1.pdf
•    The Economic Cooperation organization (ECO): regional interstate economic organization formed in 1985.
Current members of the organization: Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, Republic of Azerbaijan, Islamic Republic of Iran, Republic of Kazakhstan, Republic of Kyrgyzstan, Islamic Republic of Pakistan, Republic of Tajikistan, Republic of Turkey, Republic of Turkmenistan and Republic of Uzbekistan.
 
More detailed information is available on the website: https://eco.int/