Trade and investment opportunities in Europe and Asia regions are the main priorities in the economic development of modern world

The discussion of Mr. Ciopraga and H.E. Mr. Labardini within the meeting was focused on the exchange of opinions regarding the benefits and advantages of the recently implemented strategic projects and the routes such as the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars (BTK) railway line and the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR). 

Mr. Ciopraga pointed out, that the BTK being the most advantageous transit option and the short haul between the Caspian Sea and the Black Sea. The railway line Baku-Tbilisi-Kars creates an alternative at the intersection of both between the West and the East and between a number of northern and southern countries. This rail line is designed to become a key part of the southern route of the emerging new Silk Road network of trade and transport corridors bringing closer China and Europe. 

Mr. Ciopraga also mentioned that the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route passes through China, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Georgia and then through Turkey and Ukraine to Europe. The issue of determining the competitive tariffs for the transportation of containers through the Black Sea ports of Bulgaria, Romania and Ukraine is still under discussion of the related structures involved in the development of the TransCaspian project in the region. 

H.E. Mr. Labardini also drew his interest to the fact that transport, communication and investment facilities play an important role for integrated economic development. It plays a major role in the economic uplift of a country as it promotes internal and external trade, economic use of natural resources, mobility of skilled labour-force, diversification of markets, provision of fuel, reduction in employment, increase in agricultural and industrial production. 

Mr. Ciopraga and H.E. Labardini exchanged some ideas on the future challenges of transport corridors development in terms of governance, inter-corridor competition and coordination as well as the linking of sea-based networks to hinterland-based corridors. In addition, discussion touched upon  the practical issues  in the corridor management, what is to be expected in the future, how strategies of  various players involved in transport corridors are likely to evolve and what the future reality of corridors will look like.

H.E. Mr. Labardini stressed trade opportunities of the port of Vera Cruz. It is a major port city and municipality on the Gulf of Mexico in the Mexican state of Veracruz. The Ambassador expressed his interest in seeking the ways of trade communication between ports of TRACECA corridor in the region.

Mr. Ciopraga and H.E. Mr. Labardini emphasized that the analysis, experience and indicators of the TRACECA transport corridor show the great potential. Participants of the meeting also exchanged views on the issues of customs and border crossing procedures among TRACECA countries as one of the important part for trade facilitation as well as opportunities to grant the observer status to the United Mexican States in the IGC TRACECA.