On March 30, 2021, was held a meeting in the administrative building of the “Turkmendenizderyayollary” Agency on the implementation of the tasks set out in the “Roadmap” for the development of cooperation in the field of transport and communications of Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan and Afghanistan.
During the meeting, the parties discussed the tasks set out in the “Road Map” for the development of cooperation in the field of transport and communications of Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan and Afghanistan, signed on January 16, 2021.
First of all, the question was raised of creating a special Council for Transport and Logistics with the participation of the relevant bodies of the Parties to the Agreement in order to set specific tasks to expand the Lapis-Lazuli international transport corridor and determine the steps that need to be taken to achieve these goals.
Then, the possibility of creating a single logistics center was explored to ensure the coordination of joint operations in order to create a stable cargo flow and efficient transport within the countries participating in the transport corridor.
In this regard, it was noted that Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan have created a single logistics center, and it was suggested that work should be carried out by Afghanistan to create a single logistics center.
Later, the parties discussed ways to reduce transport costs for transport and logistics operators, as well as the earliest possible implementation of loading and unloading services on ships in the ports of Turkmenistan and Azerbaijan, as well as the regulation of port dues on an equal basis between the ports of the two countries.
Based on this, the time of loading and unloading services was mentioned between the ports of the two countries, as well as the privileges provided by the port in relation to goods transported along the Lapis-Lazuli route.
At the end of the meeting, the parties discussed the possibility of introducing a “single window” system on the route from the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan to Europe and back through Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan using the capabilities of the Baku International sea trade port and the Turkmenbashi International Sea Port.
