BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 27. Azerbaijan Railways CJSC has completed the first task within the framework of the EU-funded "Eastern Partnership Investment in Connectivity" (EPIC) through the services of the European Investment Bank (EIB), Trend reports.
The task was aimed at ensuring safety at railroad crossings on the Baku-Boyuk-Kasik route.
“The successfully completed task is related to the Middle Corridor, which is a priority for Azerbaijan and the Eurasian region. Projects in the railway sector included in this corridor connecting China to the EU via Central Asia, Azerbaijan, and Türkiye are vital in the medium and long term,” the report of the EIB emphasized.
Azerbaijani Railways have identified high-risk railroad crossings in terms of potential track separation as part of this cooperation.
Meanwhile, the EIB has prepared a 10-month assignment to help Azerbaijan improve railroad safety and reliability.
“The EIB's advisory support, provided for the first time under the EPIC Investment Mechanism, has resulted in recommendations that will guide Azerbaijan Railways CJSC to improve operational safety while reducing travel time and greenhouse gas emissions. The advisory support has already helped CJSC improve safety at existing railway crossings along the important Baku-Boyuk-Kyasik railway route, which is a 503-kilometer line connecting the capital and port of Baku with the railway network of neighboring Georgia and extending to the Black Sea,” the information from the EIB says.
The Bank's experts believe that the Baku-Boyuk-Kasik rail route is part of the TEN-T (Trans-European Transport Network) core network in Azerbaijan and serves as an important segment for freight transportation along the Middle Corridor.
“We are pleased to announce the successful completion of the first assignment under the EPIC program, which transfers the experience and best practices of the EU transport sector to its eastern neighbors,” the announcement quoted EIB Vice President Teresa Czerwińska as saying.
European Union Ambassador to Azerbaijan Peter Michalko stated that “Azerbaijan's strategic location, infrastructure development efforts, and potential for enhanced trade and economic cooperation make the country a strategic partner in the context of the extended Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T), which makes a significant contribution to improving transport links, economic development, and regional integration.”
“The EU is working hand in hand with Azerbaijan and with the EIB on key transport and infrastructure projects. We will continue to offer technical assistance, loans, and guarantees for infrastructure development, greening, digitalization, and strengthening transport governance in Azerbaijan,” Michalko added.
According to the advisor to the chairman of Azerbaijan Railways CJSC, Arif Agayev, international cooperation in the field of railroad safety and the minimization of greenhouse gas emissions is a priority for Azerbaijan Railways.
“We will expand cooperation with our partners in this field and introduce the best international standards in railway operations and infrastructure,” Agayev said.
To note, the EU mechanism "EPIC" assists investment projects in the Eastern Neighborhood countries that are linked to the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T) and supports these projects following the requirements of the EU and international financial institutions, ensuring that initiatives are ready for investment while minimizing environmental damage.
“EPIC” is funded by the EU and managed by the EIB's advisory program concerning assistance to support projects in European regions (JASPERS).
The other participants in this program are the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and the World Bank.
EPIC projects can be implemented in all transport subsectors, such as road, rail, air, water, and intermodal transport. Generally, projects aim to reduce travel time and costs, remove bottlenecks, improve traffic safety, and adapt transportation infrastructure to climate change.
Currently, under EPIC, the EIB is providing advisory support and technical assistance to ten projects in Armenia, Azerbaijan, Moldova, and Ukraine.
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