Turkey will continue its support for the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route in order to keep it preferable for carriers, Ahmet Arslan, Turkey’s minister of transport, maritime affairs and communications, said.
Arslan noted that transportation to the Central Asian countries through Azerbaijan grew substantially in 2015 as compared to previous years.
About 8,000 trucks were sent to the Central Asian countries through Azerbaijan in 2015, said the minister.
“There is no doubt that these volumes may increase even more in a short time, if the region’s countries invest in transport infrastructure”, he added.
Arslan also noted that the completion of the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars (BTK) railway’s construction would create an opportunity to transport various cargos by various methods that would benefit the carriers.
He said the non-governmental organizations must also work actively to strengthen the Trans-Caspian corridor, for which Turkey is ready to provide support.
“Turkey believes the opening of the Baku International Sea Trade Port and the adjustment of systematic voyages by RO-RO vessels will help increase the efficiency and effectiveness of the Trans-Caspian corridor”, the minister added.
“Ankara considers the joining of the Iranian and Azerbaijani railways important”, he said.
Arslan went on to add that Turkey always supported alternative routes, because it considered them necessary for carriers in the current economic conditions.
“We think the cooperation of the region’s countries should be mutually complementary and believe these projects will help increase the prosperity of the entire region”, the minister noted.
The Trans-Caspian International Transport Route runs from China to Europe through Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Turkey and Ukraine. (Trend/Business World Magazine)