(MENAFN- Trend News Agency)
BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 19. The European
Union views Turkmenistan as a crucial player in enhancing transport
connectivity between Asia and Europe, particularly through the
Trans-Caspian transport Route (TITR, or Middle Corridor), the press
office of the European Commission told Trend .
"Turkmenistan has an important geographic role in TITR since it
is located on the southern branch connecting from China to the
Caspian Sea, and due to its modern port in Turkmenbashi," the
commission's spokesperson said.
According to information, the EU sees TITR as a highly relevant
route as geopolitical dynamics shift. The route is emerging as a
modern, multimodal economic gateway, offering significant potential
for growth and regional integration.
"Its increased relevance is already apparent in the recent
growth of transport volumes. In 2022, the EU accounted for more
than half of the increase in exports from Central Asia. In
addition, cargo transport volume on the Trans-Caspian International
Transport Route increased by 88 percent in the first nine months of
2023, reaching two million tons. Trade along the route is projected
to triple by 2030," the press office added.
The EU's strategy for boosting connectivity in Central Asia
emphasizes a regional approach, involving collaboration among all
five Central Asian nations. A pivotal conclusion from the EU's
study on sustainable transport connectivity, published in 2022,
underscored the importance of improved interconnectivity between
the nations to maximize the benefits of increased cargo flows and
drive sustainable economic growth.
"Through the recently established coordination platform for the
Trans-Caspian Transport Route, the EU will work with partners on
facilitating progress on infrastructure priority projects," the
press office stated.
Additionally, a new regional transport program for Central Asia,
expected by the end of 2024, aims to provide technical assistance
for regulatory reforms, customs harmonization, safety standards,
and logistics coordination, all of which are vital for improving
"soft connectivity" and complementing physical infrastructure
investments.
"By removing soft connectivity obstacles and supporting the
coordination and acceleration of hard infrastructure investments,
the program will help increase regional trade and sustainably
reduce land transport times between Asia and Europe. This will be
complemented by the Central Asia Prosperity Program adopted in
2023, which specifically covers the priority of trade facilitation
and digitalization of transport documents in Central Asia," the
commission's spokesperson concluded.
With these initiatives, the EU is reinforcing Turkmenistan's
importance as a strategic hub, helping to unlock new trade
opportunities and regional prosperity between Asia and Europe.
The Trans-Caspian Transport Route connects the container rail
freight networks of China and the European Union, passing through
Central Asia, the Caucasus, Türkiye, and Eastern Europe. This
multilateral, multimodal transportation route integrates ferry
terminals on the Caspian and Black Seas with the railway systems of
several countries, including China, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan,
Georgia, Türkiye, Ukraine, and Poland.
The route significantly boosts cargo traffic between China and
Türkiye, as well as to European nations, and facilitates movement
in both directions. One of its key advantages is the reduced
transit time, with freight trains completing the journey from China
to Europe in an average of 20–25 days.
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