BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 20
By Nargiz Sadikhova - Trend:
European Union considers Kazakhstan as a hub and a major partner for connectivity in the Central Asian region, the EU official told Trend.
The official noted that EU’s current transport engagement with Kazakhstan focuses mainly on the issues of common concern related to sustainable connectivity between the EU and Asia.
“In this context, the upcoming study on sustainable railway-based comprehensive transport corridors between Europe and China has the potential to bring much-needed transparency and prioritisation on transport infrastructure planning and development in the Central Asian region by consulting all relevant actors in the region in its implementation process,” the official said.
In an effort to improve transport connectivity, the European Commission (DG MOVE) and the National Development and Reform Commission of China (NDRC) established a Connectivity Platform in 2015.
The main objective of the Platform – as agreed by both sides – is to explore opportunities for further cooperation in the area of transport with a view to enhance synergies between the EU’s approach to connectivity, including the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T), and China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
The platform is also used to work towards greater transparency, reciprocity in market access and a level playing field for businesses in the area of transport infrastructure development.
The official added that its analysis would also provide the basis for considering the EU’s future engagement on transport connectivity in the Central Asian region.
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