On July 7, 2011 Baku (Azerbaijan) at the headquarters of the PS IGC TRACECA, a working meeting was held between Mr. Eduard Biriucov, Secretary General of the PS IGC TRACECA, and Mr. Helmut Meelich, Project Manager TER UNECE

During the meeting the parties discussed a wide range of issues, particularly development of economic cooperation in the region as well as transport and railway infrastructure. Mr. Biriucov informed Mr. Meelich of the latest developments and current activities of the TRACECA, First Investment Forum (October 12, 2010.) in Brussels, where six railway projects worth $ 3.8 billion were presented. Up to date, most promising project among the ongoing projects in this sector is Kars-Akhalkalaki-Tbilisi railway project which will connect Georgia and Turkey.

Mr. Akif Mustafayev, National Secretary of the IGC TRACECA in the Republic of Azerbaijan, mentioned that the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan approved a Railway Development Program up to 2014 which envisages allocation of more than $ 1 billion to Baku - Georgian border (503 km) railway section within the framework of modernization of railways.

During the discussion, Secretary General informed on the results of regional meetings on identification of the priority projects for the Investment Forum – 2012 with the participation of different IFIs and intergovernmental agencies.

Participants of the meeting considered the priority issues of mutual cooperation, based on the Memorandum of Understanding and Cooperation between the PS IGC TRACECA and UNECE in the context of development of the international transport corridor Europe-Caucasus-Asia, which will enable effective development of trade and economic relations.

The Parties also exchanged views on prospects for regional development, further progress in implementing the partnership, expressed a mutual desire for closer cooperation.