Infrastructure

Infrastructure

Turkic-speaking countries expanding economic cooperation

11 February 2014 10:53 (UTC +04:00)

Baku. Agshin Rafigoghlu – APA-Economics. The number of travel corridors among the Turkic-speaking countries will be increased, said Secretary General of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Turkic Speaking Countries (TURKPA) Jandos Asanov addressing the 3rd meeting of the TURKPA Commission on Economic, Trade and Financial Affairs in Baku, APA-Economics reports.

According to him, further expansion and strengthening of economic and trade ties among the Turkic-speaking states is the most important issue. He said that the increase in the number of travel corridors and expansion of infrastructure will bring ties closer between the Turkic-speaking countries.

Delivering a lecture on “The role of transportation lanes in economic cooperation”, Adbirahman Mamataliyev, member of the Kyrgyz Delegation to TURKPA, said that the discussion of this issue is very serious. He noted that 95 percent of passenger transportation in Kyrgyzstan accounts for road transport and there is no barrier for the neighboring countries.

Member of the Kazakh Delegation to TURKPA, Sarsenbay Yensegenov said that Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev attaches importance to the expansion of transport and logistics infrastructure. According to him, Kazakhstan also places emphasis on the enlargement of the access of the Turkic-speaking countries to Europe: “The development of sea transport is very important for our countries, which means the widening of trade and economy of our countries up to Europe. Kazakhstan will support all projects of TURKPA.”

Addressing the meeting, member of the Turkish Delegation to TURKPA, Mahmud Mucahid Findikli said that the establishment of the TURKPA Council further strengthened economic links between the Turkic-speaking countries. According to him, during this time, the close cooperation was observed among Turkic businessmen: “Meetings of transport ministers are productive. We should use the international sources to develop transport sector. Steps should be taken to develop transport links and investments should be increased. The solution of transport-related problems will also develop trade, customs and tourism sectors and eliminate border delays and bureaucratic obstacles in other areas.”

He also offered to discuss energy issues at upcoming meetings of TURKPA. The Turkish representatives also stated that today, the Turkic-speaking countries have an expanded cooperation and it is possible to increase it further.

Astana will host the Economic Forum on May 20, 2014. Transport ministers and heads of customs services of the Turkic-speaking countries will also attend this meeting. The meetings will focus on the establishment and development of China-Kazakhstan-Azerbaijan, China-Kazakhstan-Central Asia and China-Kazakhstan-Europe travel corridors.

It was also decided to hold the 4th meeting of TURKPA in Kazakhstan in the second half of this year. The development of alternative and renewable energy sector will be discussed at this meeting.