Transport connectivity, prospects and expectations is the prioritized topic of the BSEC member-states and the partners of the Black Sea region

The meeting was attended by responsible representatives of BSEC Member States: Albania, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Bulgaria, Greece, Romania, Russia, Turkey, Ukraine, as well as representatives of the related bodies, observers and international structures, including ITF and PS IGC TRACECA.

The participants of the event discussed a number of issues, such as joint projects for facilitation of transport connectivity in the BSEC Region and beyond as focus the main efforts for overcoming the key challenges of the sector, especially the modernization of infrastructure, implementation of intelligent transport systems, improving the competitiveness of transport enterprises and reducing the environmental impact.

The issues of the development of shipping lanes, simplification of goods transportation methods and appointing transport representatives to the working group also was present on the agenda.

The speakers noted in their discussions the current development and prospects of the transport connectivity in the Black Sea Region in line with the BSEC MoUs. Representatives of the BSEC member-states, presented structured and different experts are expressed their wish to share their views and developments in the transport sector in their countries which also contribute to the implementation of the MoUs.

During the discussion, the participants mentioned that the international community, various interregional and regional structures and organizations aimed to cooperate among each other for the benefit of strengthening transport dialogue, creation of favourable investment opportunities and ensuring reliable transport and trade connections.

Mr. Ciopraga stressed the efforts of TRACECA and its further dynamic development along the international transport corridor Europe-the Caucasus-Asia and pointed out the readiness of TRACECA for mutual constructive dialogue within the optimization of trade-transport relations and support the Black Sea region countries, some of which are also the members of TRACECA.

Secretary General emphasized that the ITC TRACECA is a natural and the most reliable transit bridge out of the existing ones between Europe and Asia from the point of view of predictability, safety and security of carried freight.

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

The Organization of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation, which was founded in 1992, is an intergovernmental organization uniting 12 states of the Black Sea and Southern Balkans. The headquarters of the organization is located in Istanbul.