The Second Transport Coordination Committee Meeting of the OTS was held in Budapest on 25 April 2024.
Co-hosted by Dr. Loránd Bói, the Deputy State Secretary for Transport Strategy, Ministry of Construction and Transport of Hungary and moderated by Dr. Mirvokhid Azimov, the Deputy Secretary General of the OTS, the meeting was attended by Mr. Javid Gurbanov, the Deputy Minister of Digital Development and Transport of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Mr. Zhanibek Abdrashov, the Ambassador of the Republic of Kazakhstan to Budapest, Mr. Yrysbek Bariev, the Deputy Minister of Transport and Communications of the Kyrgyz Republic, Mr. Durmuş Ünüvar, the Deputy Minister of Transport and Infrastructure of Türkiye, Mr. Mamanbiy Omarov, the First Deputy Minister of Transport of Uzbekistan, Mr. Batyr Annayev, the Director of the State Service of Maritime and River Transportation (Turkmendenizderyayollary) of the Republic of Turkmenistan. and Mr. Erman Ereke, the IRU (International Road Transport Union) General Delegate/Permanent Delegation to the Middle East and Region.
The meeting addressed a range of critical issues, aimed at bolstering transport cooperation among the OTS members and observers. The key agenda items included discussions on facilitating transport and transit operations along the Middle Corridor, emphasizing the need for incentives, discounts, and streamlined procedures to enhance efficiency and connectivity across the region.
Additionally, discussions centered on practical measures for the implementation of Joint Action Plan (“Roadmap”) of the Transport Connectivity Program for 2023-2027, such as demonstration tours from Khargos and Irkeshtam BCPs to Türkiye to identify bottlenecks and showcase the potential of transport corridors.
Digitalization initiatives took center stage, as delegates explored the implementation of projects such as the “ePermit” and “eCMR,” leveraging technology to simplify cross-border procedures and enhance operational effectiveness.
Visa facilitation for drivers, the creation of legal frameworks for promoting mutual recognition of cargo vehicle certificates, and exploration of unified requirements for road vehicle mass and dimensions along transport corridors were emphasized as crucial steps towards enhancing mobility and facilitating trade.
