Ashgabat, Turkmenistan – 3 October 2024. Today the European Union and Turkmenistan held a high-level event that launched the Coordination Platform of the Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor.

The event brought together the European Union, representatives of the countries along the Trans Caspian Transport Corridor in Central Asia and the Southern Caucasus and Türkiye, as well as International Financing Institutions.

The corridor will serve as a critical artery linking Europe and Central Asia, boosting trade, connectivity, facilitating exchanges, and driving prosperity across regions, while also ensuring improved cooperation and economic integration between the Central Asian countries.

The main role of the Coordination Platform will be the promotion of the corridor and the coordination of efforts towards the implementation of priority projects in hard and soft infrastructure in Central Asia. It will also coordinate with investments and activities in the South Caucasus and Türkiye that are relevant for strengthening the operational efficiency and seamless connections across the Trans-Caspian transport corridor.

The discussions underlined the necessity and commitment for comprehensive infrastructure investments and reforms of regulatory frameworks that will create an enabling environment for supporting cargo traffic flows, expanding trade and promoting economic growth in Central Asia and beyond. The participants emphasised the need for joint action and enhanced cooperation to achieve these goals.

The European Union was represented by European Commissioner for International Partnerships Jutta Urpilainen, European Union Special Representative for Central Asia Tehri Hakala, and Ambassadors of the European Union.

The European Commission confirmed its intentions to launch a regional transport programme in 2025, to support the preparation of priority transport infrastructure projects in Central Asia with feasibility Studies and provide Technical Assistance in areas such as harmonization of standards, digitalization and interoperability. The programme will also provide essential support services to the operation of the Coordination Platform.