A trilateral summit between the President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, Afghan President Ashraf Ghani and Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev took place on Thursday in a video conference format.
During the online negotiations, the parties exchanged views on issues related to Lapis Lazuli Route Transport and Transit Corridor, connecting Afghanistan, Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Turkey, the State News Agency of Turkmenistan (TDH) reports.
The Heads of State noted that the implementation of projects to create transcontinental transit and transport corridors will strengthen regional and international trade and economic relations and bolster universal sustainable development.
As part of international efforts to combat the spread of COVID-19, Turkmenistan, Afghanistan and Azerbaijan carried out effective joint actions, Turkmen President underlined.
President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov said Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, and Azerbaijan are located at the crossroads of continental routes, adding that the territories of the countries provide access to South Asia, Asia-Pacific, Black Sea and the Mediterranean, the Middle East, Russia, and Baltics.
Based on the Lapis Lazuli Transport Corridor Agreement, signed in Ashgabat on November 15, 2017, the Turkmen Leader proposed the creation of a joint logistics center.
As the first step toward this direction, Turkmen President proposed to create a structure for coordinating the logistics activities in the tripartite format.
Noting the importance of having a modern, high-tech transport infrastructure to increase the efficiency of cargo transportation, the President of Turkmenistan emphasized the capabilities of the Turkmenbashi International Seaport, the Imamnazar and Serhetabat border checkpoints.
“We consider it appropriate to pursue a single pricing policy for the transportation of goods along the Afghanistan-Turkmenistan-Azerbaijan route and in the opposite direction. We believe that the basis for such a policy should be the desire to create optimal economic and financial conditions that are equal for all participants in the partnership in the transport sector,” President Gurabanguly Berdimuhamedov said.
In this context, the parties can discuss the issues of providing each other with various benefits – such as reducing prices (tariffs) for transit, exemption from payment for certain types of services during storage of goods, according to the report.
The Turkmen Leader proposed to consider the possibility of simplifying customs operations by introducing a control system based on the Single Window principle.
Presidents Ilham Aliyev and Mohammad Ashraf Ghani expressed confidence that the large transport and communication projects initiated by the Turkmen Leader will become an invaluable contribution to strengthening the foundations of stability for the entire region.
