BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 13
By Jeila Aliyeva - Trend:
Turkmenistan’s Transport and Logistics Center (TULM) Open Joint-Stock Company has transported the first cargo consisting of eight 40-foot containers from the Afghan Akina city via Lapis Lazuli Corridor to Turkmenistan’s Turkmenbashi International Seaport , Trend reports with reference to Business Turkmenistan information portal.
The transit documents are currently being processed, the report says.
Cargo containers will be sent to the Baku International Sea Trade Port in Azerbaijan by a regular ship through the Caspian Sea in the near future. From Baku, the cargo will be sent to Turkey by rail.
In general, TULM is actively working to increase the volume of road and rail cargo transportation.
The main purpose of Lapis Lazuli agreement is facilitating smooth movement of goods, passengers and means of transport through the territories of contracting parties. Taking necessary measures to increase the competitiveness of aforesaid route is also mentioned as one of the objectives.
According to the document, administrative arrangements and procedures dealing with traffic in transit using advanced technologies will be simplified when necessary.
Provisions of the agreement will apply to all traffic in transit, which begins, processes or ends in the territory of contracting parties, the report said. Each party should take needed measures in order to provide facilities needed for any means of transport. Furthermore, each of the participating countries will grant relevant visas to the drivers of the vehicles, therefore the simplification of granting visas will be agreed.
All the goods passing through the countries of contracting parties will be exempted from customs duties and taxes. The agreement signatories also will simplify customs control mechanisms for both the means of transport carrying goods and passengers passing through their territories.
It was also agreed to set up a Joint Consultative Group (JCG) to comprising authorized representatives of contracting parties. JCG will conduct regular consultations at least once a year. Any dispute about interpretation or implementation of this agreement shall be settled through consultations of JCG.
Afghanistan will be the Depository of mentioned agreement which was concluded for indefinite period of time, report says. In addition, any country can withdraw from this agreement at any time by sending a written notification to the Depository through the diplomatic channels.
Afghanistan, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan and Georgia signed Lapis Lazuli Route Agreement in October 2017. Agreement was ratified by Turkey on May 27, 2020.
---
Follow the author on Twitter: @JeilaAliyeva
