Turkey takes over presidency of transport body

ANKARA - Anadolu Agency

DHA Photo

Turkey has taken the chair of the TRACECA (Transport Corridor Europe Caucasus Asia) Intergovernmental Commission for a year during the body’s 11th annual meeting Jan. 29 in Istanbul.  
 
 “We see the economic center has slowly started to show its presence in the east, which especially increases the importance of strengthening connections between Europe and Central Asia/The Far East, which are on the TRACECA route,” said Transport Minister Lütfi Elvan.

“That is why it is meaningful for TRACECA member countries to cooperate, develop joint projects and make joint investments. I think transportation will be faster, safer and more comfortable with the cooperation of our countries on land, rail and at sea,” he added.

Elvan also claimed the government has made investments totaling more than $100 billion over the last 12 years and aims to make a $6-7 billion yearly investment on land routes.

He also said the government’s goal was to invest some $4 billion in railways.

TRACECA is an international transport organization which aims to develop and facilitate transportation on road, rail and aviation within its member countries. The member countries of the organization are: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, Georgia, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Romania, Tajikistan, Turkey, Ukraine and Uzbekistan.