Eastern Partnership Forum 2025: Developing transport connectivity and strategic partnership between the EU and the Eastern Neighbourhood countries

The event was opened by Marek Prawda, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Poland, and was also attended by high-level representatives of Poland and the European Union.

The panel sessions were also addressed by speakers - representatives of Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Moldova, Ukraine, Lithuania, as well as the European Commission, EBRD, European Investment Bank, TRACECA and other organisations.

The main objective of the Forum is to strengthen economic and trade cooperation between the European Union and the countries of the Eastern Neighbourhood. The Forum provides a platform for discussing important issues such as development of sustainable transport and logistics links, modernisation of infrastructure and introduction of digital technologies in the Partnership regions. One of the key objectives is to attract investments and create conditions for economic integration, which promotes the development of regional markets and improves mutual access to the EU markets.

In his speech, Asset Assavbayev, TRACECA Secretary General noted that today the Middle Corridor is experiencing a real breakthrough both in terms of freight traffic volumes and the level of international attention and investments. “Countries along the Middle Corridor have stepped up their efforts to develop transport infrastructure and simplify transit procedures. Steps have been taken to expand ports, build new railways, improve existing routes and remove barriers,” the TRACECA Secretary General said in a statement.

He also emphasised that the development of the Middle Corridor plays a key role in shaping a sustainable, safe and efficient transport architecture in Eurasia. Despite the existing challenges, including the need for infrastructure modernisation, the interest from the states and international organisations demonstrates a confident transition to a new stage of the route development.

For reference:

• The Eastern Partnership (EaP) is a joint programme initiative aimed at deepening and strengthening relations with 6 of the EU's Eastern Neighbours: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine.
  Read more: https://www.eeas.europa.eu/node/18505_en
• TRACECA includes the transport system of 14 participating countries united by the idea of developing the international transport corridor Europe-the Caucasus-Asia.