Signing Ceremony of the Memorandum of Understanding between the Permanent Secretariat (PS) of the Intergovernmental Commission (IGC) TRACECA and the Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation (CAREC) Institute in Baku, the Republic of Azerbaijan

After long period of negotiations and practical steps made by the Permanent Secretariat of the IGC TRACECA and Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation (CAREC) Institute (CI) it is agreed to build up cooperation between two institutional structures on the basis of conclusion of Memorandum of Understanding. 

The Signing Ceremony was attended by the Ambassadors of the MLA TRACECA member states and CAREC in the Republic of Azerbaijan and their plenipotentiary representatives, Ambassadors of the countries involved to the transport dialogue within TRACECA region, representative of Asian Development Bank (ADB), the Permanent Representative (National Secretary) of the PS IGC TRACECA in the Republic of Azerbaijan as well as PS experts.

“Transport networks in many TRACECA and CAREC countries require modernization. Considerable financial resources are needed for the improvement of transport systems. Public funds do not satisfy the needs of financing such large-scale projects. In this connection TRACECA and CAREC will better cooperate with international financial institutions and promote participation of private sector in financing and management of transport projects.

In addition, 6 out of the 13 member countries (Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan) of TRACECA are also CAREC members. We are sure that a complex approach towards solution of transport problems of our member countries will contribute to creation of a long-term basis for sustainable development of the Europe-the Caucasus-Asia and CAREC corridors” – mentioned Mr. Ciopraga in his speech.

In his turn, Mr. Sanjaasuren mentioned that in 2019 CI will continue to organize capacity building events on transport sector and specifically on topics like ‘road safety’, Customs Cooperation and CPMM. 

“CAREC Institute also plans research on aviation sector in its next Rolling Operations Plan. TRACECA also has similar focus on transport so this confluence of areas of work should translate in to substantive gains by member countries of both organizations” – stated Mr. Sanjaasuren. 

The ceremony has been followed by bilateral discussion between representatives of the Permanent Secretariat and CAREC Institute on the wider range of issues, such as exchange of experience, broadening cooperation between PS IGC TRACECA and CAREC Institute, common planned events, joint trainings, financial opportunities, contributions and other possible sources. Both sides agreed to draft common plan of activities till the end of the year and to exchange experience on the basis of already signed Memorandum of Understanding. 

Within the exchange of opinions, Mr. Ciopraga mentioned importance of attraction of the international financial institutions to TRACECA activities for the implementation of the new projects, Ms. Ciopraga informed on the Third TRACECA Investment Forum which will be organized within the Black Sea Forum on 14-15 May 2019 at Constanta, Romania during the Romanian Presidency in the Council of the European Union and invited the delegation of CAREC Institute for active involvement to the Forum.

It should be mentioned that CAREC Institute is an intergovernmental organization that has been established by CAREC member countries as a knowledge institution for implementing the CAREC Program. The CAREC Program has been established in 1997 by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to encourage economic cooperation among countries in the Central Asian region and called for implementation of transport infrastructure issues and investment opportunities of ADB.

At the moment the Program comprises - partnership of 11 countries (Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, People's Republic of China (the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region and the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region), Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Mongolia, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan) and development partners working together to promote enlargement through cooperation, leading to accelerated economic growth and poverty reduction. 

The CAREC Institute is located in Urumqi, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, People’s Republic of China.

6 out of the 13 member countries (Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan) of TRACECA are also CAREC members.

Currently the TRACECA unites transport system of 13 member-countries of the Basic Multilateral Agreement on International Transport for Development of the Europe-the Caucasus-Asia corridor (MLA): Azerbaijan, Armenia, Bulgaria, Georgia, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Romania, Tajikistan, Turkey, Uzbekistan, Ukraine.

At the same time, Greece and Lithuania have observer status in the Intergovernmental Commission (IGC) TRACECA.