nCa Report
Awaza, 28 November 2018 (nCa) – Turkmenistan hosted Wednesday a high level conference to launch the Lapis Lazuli Corridor, a multimodal concept connecting the transport and transit assets of Afghanistan, Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Turkey.
The corridor starts from Torghondi railway station in Afghanistan, runs across the territory of Turkmenistan to reach the Turkmenbashy Port, crosses the Caspian Sea, and uses the ports of Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Turkey to reach the borders of Europe.
M Chakiyev, the DPM of Turkmenistan for transport and communications, led the delegation of his country and moderated the opening session of the conference.
Heads of other participating countries
Azerbaijan – First deputy prime minister, Yakub Eyyubov
Uzbekistan – First deputy prime minister, Achilbai Ramatov
Turkey – minister of transport and infrastructure, Mehmet Jahit Turhan
Afghanistan – minister of transport, Mohammad Hamid Tahmasi
Georgia – deputy minister of economy and sustainable development, Akaki Sagirashvili
It was clear from the speeches of the delegates that similar processes are in motion in each of the participating country to enhance the transportation capacity and facilitate the transit of cargo with speed and efficiency.
The international organizations such as IATA and UNESCAP highlighted the areas where steps can be taken to augment the viability of the Lapis Lazuli Corridor.
The conference passed the Final Declaration, summing up the outcome of the event.
A trip to the Turkmenbashy Port was organized for the participants of the conference. /// nCa
To be continued . . .