Turkic Council held a video conference of ministers of transport
On April 30, 2020, a video conference of the Ministers of Transport of the member states of the Turkic Council was held, in which the Secretary-General of the Turkic Council Baghdad Amreyev, the Minister of Transport, Communications and High Technologies of Azerbaijan Ramin Guluzade, the Minister of Transport and Infrastructure of Turkey Adil Karaismailoglu, the Minister of Transport of Uzbekistan Ilior Ganiev, Hungarian Minister of State for Transport Laszlo Mosochi, State Secretary of the Ministry of Transport and Roads of Kyrgyzstan Ermek Mamyrkaliyev, Vice-Minister of Industry and Infrastructure Development of Kazakhstan Berik Kamaliyev took part, the Secretariat of the Turkic Council in Istanbul reports.
During the meeting, the ministers would discuss the implementation of decisions adopted by the heads of state of the Turkic Council at an emergency video summit held April 10, 2020, on the theme “Solidarity and cooperation in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic”.
During the meeting, an exchange of information on measures taken at the national level in support of the transport sector in the current crisis took place and practical solutions to the problems that the countries are facing when transporting goods were discussed.
Participants emphasized that the most urgent task for the transport sector at present is to maintain the supply of vital goods such as food, medical supplies, and equipment, as well as humanitarian supplies.
In order to mitigate the negative effects of the global pandemic on the economies of the region, special attention was paid to the simplification of transport operations through the Trans-Caspian East-West International Transport Corridor.
An agreement was reached on the provision of practical assistance in facilitating the passage of freight vehicles across borders/checkpoints in order to deliver humanitarian supplies, essentials, medicines, and medical equipment, as well as the constant exchange of information on emerging issues. The meeting participants came to a full understanding of the need for mutual support in the provision of quotas, simplification of visas and fees for issuing permits for travel to border lanes.
One of the important outcomes of the meeting was the decision to create an operational group under the Turkic Council called “Transport Coordinating Committee” at the level of deputy transport ministers of member countries to practically solve problems arising from transport operations, and effectively coordinate transport and logistics. The first meeting of the Committee will be held in mid-May of this year.
Another important decision in the current conditions will be the creation of the “Green Corridor” between the member states within the framework of the Turkic Council for the rapid transit of food, medical, humanitarian supplies, as well as essential goods. The newly created “Transport Coordinating Committee” will deal with this task in priority order.
It was also decided to expeditiously conclude negotiations on the draft “Agreement on international combined freight transport between the member states of the Cooperation Council of Turkic-speaking states”.
The meeting participants agreed to hold the next meeting of the Ministers of Transport of the Turkic Council in Budapest this summer.