The focus of the exchange of views between the representatives of the Permanent Secretariat and the EU Delegation in Baku is on the prospects for the development of transport between Europe and Asia

During the meeting, it was noted that given the experience of long-term cooperation with the EU Directorates, EC services and the EU Delegation to Azerbaijan, the TRACECA international programme was formed into an effective mechanism for coordinating regional transport interaction.

The Secretary General emphasized the significant contribution of the European Union within the framework of technical assistance projects, with the implementation and support of which, the countries of the TRACECA region focused on creating favourable conditions for investing in transport infrastructure, developing intermodal transport, improving tariff policy, harmonizing transport legislation.

In addition, Secretary General Assavbayev briefed Ambassador Mikhalko on the latest steps aimed at strengthening mutually beneficial cooperation in the TRACECA-EU format, including a visit to Brussels and official meetings during the visit.

“In order to achieve success and effective functioning of the Europe-the Caucasus-Asia corridor, joint efforts of TRACECA and the EU are needed in the main areas on which the efforts of the Permanent Secretariat are focused in the short term, namely in the issues of digitalization, harmonization, containerization. We are ready to work together to achieve the goals stipulated by TEN-T, as well as within the framework of such EU initiatives as EU4DIGITAL, eFTI, Joint Undertaking and others” Asset Assavbayev noted.

Engagement with the EU is also necessary to identify areas of cooperation, as the European Union is pursuing its own initiatives along the corridor, including through the Eastern Partnership countries and the Central Asia strategy.

On the outcome of the meeting, the representatives confirmed their readiness to continue the dialogue after a detailed acquaintance with the projects and approaches prepared by the PS.