Transport facilitation in the region is one of the priority directions along the TRACECA corridor

The subject of discussion of the meeting participants was the issues of simplification of transportation procedures, digitalization, as well as further opportunities for the implementation of initiatives, taking into account the outcome of the Fifteenth Annual Meeting of the Intergovernmental Commission TRACECA in Sofia, where most of the projects received the support and approval of the TRACECA countries.

The meeting participants noted that for the consistent and successful implementation of the proposed initiatives, timely consultations are necessary, given the direct involvement of representatives of the customs authorities of the region.

Having noted the importance of strengthening the relationship between customs authorities of the TRACECA countries, the parties referred to the issues of introduction of electronic transport documents, permits and queues, the launch of an information system, a mobile application, an interactive map, joint checkpoints, the deadlines for completing the reconstruction of checkpoints, etc.         

"As a multimodal corridor, TRACECA needs to ensure the maximum use of electronic transport documents, which will in its turn simplify the transportation process. Given the current conditions of international transport, the draft of the Digital Concept of the International Transport Corridor TRACECA and the draft Global Transit Document (GTrDTM) are of particular importance”, Secretary General Assavbayev pointed out.      

In turn, the Deputy Chairman of the Committee Javad Gasimov noted that in recent years important steps have been taken to develop transit in the country, as a result of which the transit potential has rapidly increased. There was also an increase in freight traffic across the Caspian Sea in all directions.

The measures taken by the Azerbaijan Party open up new opportunities for the development of transit corridors in the region, which will in its turn facilitate transportation along the TRACECA corridor.

In addition, it was noted that the exchange of experience of the customs authorities of Azerbaijan in this direction in close cooperation with other countries of the TRACECA region will benefit the common cause.

On the outcome of the meeting, an agreement was reached to continue joint efforts to promote initiatives and strengthen cooperation within the TRACECA framework.