Baku, Azerbaijan, Jan. 9
By Maksim Tsurkov - Trend:
Turkey and Kazakhstan failed to reach consensus on the route within the framework of Silk Wind project, the purpose of which was the launch of container train to Europe through China, Kazakhstan, Caspian, Caucasus, and Turkey, Akif Mustafayev, TRACECA National Secretary in Azerbaijan told Trend.
Silk Wind project was initiated within the framework of TRACECA. Earlier, Turkey proposed to change the route, by directing it via the railway Baku-Tbilisi-Kars (BTK).
"This proposal has been regarded by Kazakhstan, but, unfortunately, the states do not come to an agreement. Kazakhstan emphasized the development of shipments from China through its territory and further along the Caspian to Azerbaijan, later to Georgia and across the Black Sea to Europe," Mustafayev said. "But Turkey insisted on the option China-Kazakhstan-Caspian-Georgia-Turkey-Europe. Due to the different opinions, Silk Wind project has not received the full support of all countries."
Despite the lack of agreement on the project, in practice, it is already in implementing.
"Three container trains have already departed from China. Trains will go via BTK to Europe during this year, and in the coming days a container train will depart from Ukraine across the Black Sea, Georgia, Azerbaijan and the Caspian Sea to Kazakhstan," he said. "It turns out that ultimately, in practice, the proposals regarding the Silk Wind project are being implemented, but it would be good if all the countries came to a unanimous decision. In this case, it would be possible to sign an agreement in 2016. This agreement would be the legal basis for the ongoing transportation."
Aim of the Silk Wind project - is the creation of a train route of multimodal transport (container/RO-RO) with a system of preliminary information exchange between customs authorities and railway operators of countries participating in the project.
Participating countries plan to introduce a single tariff for cargo transportation within the project.
TRACECA - is a program of cooperation in transport field between the EU and its partner countries in Eastern Europe, South Caucasus and Central Asia. The organization has a permanent secretariat in Baku.
Currently, TRACECA's member countries are: Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Romania, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Turkey, Ukraine, Iran and Armenia.
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