Implementation of TRACECA initiatives - in the focus of discussions between the PS IGC TRACECA and Kyrgyzstan

According to the Agenda, the discussions was focused on the practical implementation of the TRACECA initiatives and projects, as well as the expansion of prospects for cooperation within the framework of the development of the international transport corridor Europe-the Caucasus-Asia.

During the meeting, the Secretary General raised issues regarding Kyrgyzstan's position on current initiatives, in particular on the draft Agreement on a STP of TRACECA, and Kyrgyzstan's intention in joining the TRACECA Multilateral Permits System.

As part of the exchange of views on Kyrgyzstan's accession to the TRACECA Multilateral Permits System and the advantages of using this System, Mr. Assavbayev noted that the PS IGC TRACECA has prepared an action plan for the transition to the application of electronic permit forms (bilateral) between the Parties and a draft decision on the transition to electronic forms of multilateral TRACECA permits.

A key aspect of discussions was the practical application and digitalization of CIM/SMGS consignment note, designed to facilitate the process of simplification and acceleration of cargo transportation procedures, evaluating checkpoints on the corridor, aimed at identifying bottlenecks and finding solutions to optimize them.

The Secretary General informed Mr. Esenaliev that from September 30 to October 4 of this year, the second virtual testing of the electronic prototype of CIM/SMGS consignment note was conducted, which was a continuation of the first virtual testing successfully held in June 2024. The project participants will continue their work on integration in the coming months, and focus on application of electronic CIM/SMGS consignment note.

During the discussion, the participants of the meeting recognized the need to improve the transportation process along the TRACECA corridor routes, and therefore a step-by-step adoption of digitalization measures is necessary.

In its turn, the Kyrgyz Party informed about the work carried out in the transport sector both at the international and bilateral levels with Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, China and other MLA member countries, the opening of a new border crossing point Bedel on the Chinese-Kyrgyz border and other changes in the transport industry.

Following the meeting, Mr. Esenaliev assured the Secretary General of his direct support in promoting TRACECA initiatives in the region and their further implementation.

For reference:

• TRACECA is an internationally recognized programme uniting the transport system of 14 countries of the Basic Multilateral Agreement on International Transport for Development of the Europe-the Caucasus-Asia corridor (MLA), including the Kyrgyz Republic, which are aimed at developing economic relations, trade and transport links in the regions of Europe, the Black Sea, the Caucasus, the Caspian Sea and Asia.