02.07.20
On Thursday, July 2, the heads of Turkmenistan, Afghanistan and Azerbaijan met via videoconference. The initiator was the Afghan leader Mohammad Ashraf Ghani. The parties discussed cooperation in the transport sector, as well as cooperation in other sectors of the economy. This was reported by CentralAsia.newsfrom the "Turkmenistan — Golden age" news Agency.
It is worth noting that one of the strategically important infrastructure projects is the project to create a new multi-modal corridor along the route Afghanistan-Turkmenistan — Azerbaijan-Georgia — Turkey (Lazurite corridor).
— We consider this meeting as a good opportunity to exchange views on strategically important issues of cooperation. One of its important vectors is, of course, the transport and communication sphere — " Berdimuhamedow stressed.
As the Turkmen leader noted, the favorable location of the States opens up new opportunities for creating sustainable transport routes in the main four geographical directions. However, to make effective use of these factors, countries must first establish a good system of transport links, strengthen transport and communication infrastructure, and ensure proper logistics.
During the meeting, Berdimuhamedow proposed five options for settling a long-term partnership in the transport field.
The proposals are as follows: first, we need to create a Single logistics center; second, to improve the efficiency of cargo transportation, we need to create a modern, high-tech transport infrastructure; third, we need to introduce a unified pricing policy for cargo transportation along the Afghanistan — Turkmenistan — Azerbaijan route and in the opposite direction; and fourth, we need to simplify customs operations by implementing a "Single window" control system»; fifth, prepare an Atlas of the route of the three States in digital format with detailed information about the existing transport and communication infrastructure.
In addition, the Lapis Lazuli transport project will allow participating countries (to diversify their access to regional and continental trade markets). This will directly contribute to strengthening national economies, expanding trade and economic ties and increasing the volume of trade between the States of Central and South Asia and Europe.
