Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, June 25
By Huseyn Hasanov - Trend:
The delegation of Turkmenistan headed by Deputy Foreign Minister Vepa Khadzhiev held a meeting in Brussels with the Secretary General of the World Customs Organization (WCO), Kunio Mikuriya, the Turkmen Foreign Ministry said in a statement June 25.
The prospects of cooperation with the recently opened international port in the city of Turkmenbashi were discussed at the meeting. It was stressed that Turkmenistan, with its modern infrastructure facilities, is becoming an important part of the trade and transport and logistics systems at the regional and international levels.
The parties noted the importance to continue organizing joint seminars, and strengthening of national and international legal systems related to customs work.
The possibilities of exchange of experience on international customs programs and training activities, development and implementation of international automated customs systems were also discussed.
Last year, the Mejlis (Parliament) of Turkmenistan ratified the agreement on transit and transport cooperation ("Lapis Lazuli"), which was signed before at the level of high-ranking officials of the Foreign Ministries of Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan, Afghanistan, Georgia and Turkey.
It is expected that the railways and highways will connect the city of Torgundi in the Afghan province of Herat with Ashgabat, and then with the Caspian port of Turkmenbashi. The corridor will continue to Baku, then through Tbilisi to Ankara with branches in Poti and Batumi, and further - from Ankara to Istanbul.
The budget of the project, which is aimed at facilitating transit logistics and simplifying customs procedures, is estimated at $2 billion. The project is designed to increase economic integration of the region and trade volumes.
