Astana, Kazakhstan, April 2
By Daniar Mukhtarov - Trend:
Kazakhstan, Georgia and Iran mulled the development of cooperation in the transport sector.
This topic was discussed during the Kazakh Transport and Communications Minister Zhenis Kasymbek's meeting with Georgian and Iranian Ambassadors, Zurab Pataradze and Gorban Seyfi, Kazakh Transport and Communications Ministry said today.
During the meeting it was stressed that Kazakhstan will be able to diversify cargo supplies, using the capabilities of the new Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway, which is designed to connect railway networks of Azerbaijan, Georgia and Turkey in the future.
Ambassador Pataradze highlighted the importance of the agreement signed for creation of a coordinating committee on development of the Trans-Caspian international transport route.
This agreement was signed in November 2013 by Kazakh, Georgian and Azerbaijani transporters during the 2nd International Transport and Logistics Business Forum "New Silk Way".
The agreement's goal is to attract transit, pursuing a coordinated policy in setting tariffs on transportation of goods (through rates), infrastructure development and the creation of a joint integrated logistics product.
Pataradze said the decision on establishing the coordinating committee is already giving positive results.
Minister Zhenis Kasymbek in turn said increasing the transit volumes is one of the main goals of the 'State program on development and integration of transport infrastructure system until 2020', adopted in late 2013.
The minister also said the relations with Georgia are important for Kazakhstan and stressed that the Transport and Communications Ministry will do everything to facilitate the further development of these ties.
During the meeting with Iran's Ambassador Gorban Seyfi the parties agreed to expand bilateral ties.
"This will be particularly facilitated by the launch of the Uzen (Kazakhstan) - Kyzylkaya - Bereket - Etrek (Turkmenistan) - Gorgan (Iran) railway line, the construction of which has been completed in Kazakhstan," according to the ministry's message.
Translated by E.A.
Edited by S.I.