TRACECA and BSEC discussed opportunities for deepening cooperation

The participants of the meeting pointed out the main directions in the activity carried out by TRACECA and BSEC.

The discussion focused on the digitalization of transport in TRACECA and BSEC regions, measures aimed at facilitating road transport in the region in terms of the COVID-19 pandemic, its impact on supply chains and transport networks, development and implementation of electronic permits (e-Permit), e-TIR, e-CMR, as well as e-Visa for professional carriers.

"In this direction, it is appropriate to coordinate the work of the Permanent Secretariat of the IGC TRACECA with the BSEC, given the 8 common participating countries (Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, Georgia, Moldova, Romania, Turkey, Ukraine)," – Mr. A. Assavbayev said.

Secretary General of the PS IGC TRACECA noted that the Harmonized Conditions for the Transport of Goods under the spread of the coronavirus infection (COVID-19) were developed on the basis of best practices, which are designed to ensure a harmonized approach in the measures taken by countries to avoid delays and congestion of vehicles at the borders.

The Parties also exchanged views on the measures taken for speedy application of eTIR and eCMR in the corridor’s countries, noting that 3 TRACECA member countries (Azerbaijan, Iran, Turkey) were the first in piloting and contributed to the transition to e-TIR in 2021.

The participants of the meeting agreed to develop a joint Action Plan (Roadmap) and actively work on the application of unified harmonized requirements for international transportation to create the most favourable conditions in the current realities of the TRACECA and BSEC regions, promote the application of eTIR and eCMR and expand the geography of e-VISA application. In addition, taking into consideration the BSEC region, efforts will be made to promote initiatives for the development of container transport in the Black Sea region, in particular to maritime transport.

It should be noted that the Memorandum of Understanding between the PS IGC TRACECA and the BSEC PERMIS (PERMIS-Permanent International Secretariat of BSEC) was signed on December 13, 2007 in Astana, Republic of Kazakhstan.