Beneficial geographic location of Turkmenistan provides its strengthening status of important transit and transport hub of Eurasia.The potential of our country in this sphere impresses taking into account new transnational Kazakhstan Turkmenistan Iran railroad, Kerky Ymamnazar (Turkmenistan) Akina (Afghanistan) railway line, railway and motor bridges across Amudarya River, super modern airports in Ashgabat, Turkmenbashy, Turkmenabat and other cities.
Special role in development of logistic is given to Caspian Region, where the main multimodal center coordinating cargo flows of all modes of transport has been formed based on Turkmenbashy International Seaport, which has strategic importance.
Constructive initiatives of the President of Turkmenistan, which received wide support of the world community, are aimed at activation of cooperation in transport sphere.This is indicated by relative Resolutions adopted by the UN General Assembly.
Currency and relevance of these proposals are obvious since transport sphere is one of the main segments of the world economy, which make effect on implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals.
Today, humankind has faced serious challenge, which covers wide geographic space and affecting many states and nations, and as President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov highlights it is our objective to act together to minimize its consequences.
Turkmenistan takes efficient measures under international efforts aimed at combating against COVID-19.All necessary conditions have been made in the country from the first days of spread of disease all around the world for sable operation of important transport and transit corridors, which provides protection of international economic relations.
Turkmenistan has taken number of practical measures for enforcement of sanitary and epidemiological control, migration and customs modes at its borders.At the same time, relative work has been carried out for provision of safe movement of transport and cargo flows between countries and regions.
It is worth to mention that despite complicated situation in the world, Turkmenistan gradually develops constructive cooperation in bilateral and multilateral formats including with competent organizations.This year, the President of the country has taken part in number of important meetings of international significance held in online mode.
Thus, on May 4, the Head of Turkmenistan has made a speech at high-level video forum of Non-Alignment Movement in the format of Contact Group, which was dedicated to combating of COVID-19.
In his speech, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov expressed confidence that this international organization, which has 120 countries among its members united by common responsibility for the planet destiny, cannot stay away from its solution.
This meeting was very important and on right time, gave opportunity to exchange the views and evaluation of complicate situation, to outlines the measures of the recovery of this situation.
Among priority objectives, the Head of the State outlined joint and agreed activities, mutual support and help of the state, close contacts between professionals, establishment of the Council of medical scientists of non-aligned states, exchange of experience and methods of treatments, multilateral cooperation with the UN and WHO.
Continuing the subject, it is worth to mention that trilateral video conference meeting between the Presidents of Turkmenistan, Afghanistan and Azerbaijan on July 2.The agenda of high-level session included the discussion of major joint project of international transit and transport corridor along Afghanistan Turkmenistan Azerbaijan Georgia Turrkey route.
Number of certain proposals on active establishment of long-term partnership in transport field has been made in the speech of the Head of Turkmenistan.Based on the Agreement on Afghanistan Turkmenistan Azerbaijan Georgia Turkey transport corridor signed in Ashgabat on November 15, 2017, Turkmen leader has proposed to establish a Single Logistic Centre.
The Centre is to provide coordination of joint activities for the formation of stable cargo flow and efficient transport movement on the territory of the countries participating in the corridor.
Taking into account colossal significance of availability of modern, high technological transport infrastructure for improvement of efficiency of cargo traffic, the Head of the State has focused on the necessity to pay special attention to further development of cargo reception and dispatch facilities like seaports, railway and motor stations.
In this context, it was highlighted that Turkmenbashy International Seaport, which structure includes oil, ferry, passenger and cargo terminals, is the main link in transport system of Turkmenistan.It is worth to mention that new complex for storage of gasoline and diesel fuel, which is another important hub of the systems of Turkmen transport provision of Afghanistan Turkmenistan Azerbaijan route, has been built at Ymamnazar checkpoint of Turkmen- Afghan border.
Good capabilities for transit of goods and production are available at Serhetabat checkpoint of the state border of Turkmenistan with Afghanistan.The President of Turkmenistan has also considered it to be appropriate to introduce single price policy for cargo transportation on Afghanistan Turkmenistan Azerbaijan route and in reverse direction.
The policy shall be based on the intent to make optimum economic and financial terms equal for all partners in transport sphere.Review of the opportunity of facilitation of customs procedures by introduction of Singe Window control system is among the proposals of the President.
It was mentioned that Turkmenistan has successfully implemented and operates the UN special programme ASYCUDA, which is designated for customs service of the country.Turkmen leader has expressed strong confidence that development of actual mechanisms and agreed positions would allow expanding cooperation, which meets interests of Turkmenistan, Afghanistan and Azerbaijan.
Current issues of cooperation taking into account modern realities have been discussed during video conference talks between representatives of Turkmenbashy International Seaport (Turkmenistan), Baku International Merchant Seaport (The Republic of Azerbaijan), Aktau International Merchant Seaport and Kuryk Seaport (the Republic of Kazakhstan).
Establishment of electronic informational exchange between Caspian ports, which would allow efficiently involving existing profile infrastructure and transit and transport potential, was one of the subjects of the meeting.
Development of multidimensional cooperation with the Islamic Republic of Iran, as with close neighbor and old partner, is one of the main vectors of foreign strategy of the President of Turkmenistan.
Thus, opening of motor bridge across Tejen River has been held at Serakhs Serakhs checkpoint of the state border between Turkmenistan and the Islamic Republic of Iran in June.
Total length of new bridge is 96 meters, width 15.1 meters.According to its engineering and technical parameters, the bridge complies with international standards; it has been built taking into account the weight, lifting capacity and speed of transport crossing the bridge.
In addition, Tejen Serakhs highway has been reconstructed for traffic of big tonnage vehicles following on transit across Turkmenistan and Iran.Special seminar, which was held in video conference format in the Yildyz Hotel of the capital this May, was dedicated to medical methods used in activity of checkpoints for counteraction against new dangerous infectious diseases.
The participants of the training, which was organized together the Organization for security and Cooperation in Europe, were introduced with measures for provision of sanitary and epidemiological safety, in particular with procedure of medical test of citizens crossing the border, used in the world practice.
Speaking of cooperation with close neighbors, it is worth to mention that Türkmenawtoulaglary Agency has hosted video conference session of joint Turkmen Uzbek Commission for International Road Transport Communications, during which perspectives of expansion of beneficial partnership in this sphere have been discussed.
Special focus has been made on strategic importance of international routes connecting two states, in particular motor and railroad bridges across Amudary river, which have become an important part of the system of regional communication.
Number of online meetings held in the Foreign Ministry was dedicated to transport sphere.It includes the meeting with International Road Transport Union (IRU), under which perspectives of main directions of bilateral relations have been reviewed.
It was mentioned that formation of developed transit and transport system and expansion of beneficial cooperation with competent structures specialized in this sphere is one of priority directions of the state policy.
The Foreign Ministry of the country has also held working session in video conference format with participation of specialists from Azerbaijan, Georgia and Romania on the project of four-sided intergovernmental Agreement on establishment and implementation of international transport corridor Caspian Black Sea.
Modern logistic system established in Turkmenistan supports efficient development on intestate relations on entire Eurasian continent.At the same time, transport infrastructure allows making logistic calculations for optimization of routes, time, place of shipment and temporary storage of cargo.
Guarantee of safety of cargo traffic is the basis for establishment of such system.