As many traditional routes are under immense pressure, the Transport Corridor Europe-Caucasus-Asia (TRACECA) region has to unleash its full potential to keep up with growing transit demand.
IRU attended TRACECA’s high-level annual meeting to brief member states and observer countries on major border challenges and opportunities confronting the road transport industry due to evolving routes.
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IRU and TRACECA’s joint efforts have been focused on strengthening supply chains and speeding up the road transport industry’s recovery following the pandemic, notably by promoting the use of harmonised UN instruments, such as TIR and CMR, and their digital versions.
IRU’s General Delegate to Eurasia, Vadim Zakharenko, who spoke at the event, encouraged governments of the TRACECA countries to sign the e-CMR Protocol, if they have not done so yet.
He also reiterated IRU’s support for enhancing the attractiveness and competitiveness of TRACECA’s transit corridors, as well as sustainable trade and connectivity across the region.
While a volatile environment continues to impact trade and transport links, it is instrumental to keep borders open and recognise the essential role of road transport operations and drivers. All delegates expressed their support for the digitalisation of transit, transport and customs documentation.
The event was hosted by the Government of Georgia, which took over the TRACECA Chairmanship earlier this month.
