CIS countries approve concept for integrated transport system

ASHGABAT. May 22 (Interfax) - The Council of Heads of State of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) has approved a concept for linking key transport routes in CIS member states, the commonwealth's executive committee reported.

The document "defines goals and trends for developing the transport system in the CIS space and is aimed at creating an integrated transport system in the CIS which facilitates fast, safe and cost-effective transportation based on modern infrastructure, well-developed logistics and multimodal routes".

"In modern conditions, the thoroughfares of CIS member states carry out their strategic function, integrating national transportation systems with global logistics networks and allowing goods and passengers to transit between Europe, Asia and the Middle East. Linking and modernizing them successfully is also economically significant, influencing the growth of trade, the reduction of transportation costs and the development of new possibilities in logistics for states in the region. At the same time, requirements for the speed, reliability and efficiency of transportation are growing, which necessitates the constant modernization of infrastructure and the integration of cutting-edge technologies," the committee said in a statement.

The parties expect that the implementation of the concept will make it possible to "create conditions which make the transport routes passing through states in the commonwealth more competitive and more appealing in the eyes of international freight forwarders and investors, attracting cargo flows, realizing transportation and transit potential and allowing for opportunities offered by transport corridors to be used as effectively as possible in promoting the socioeconomic development of CIS states".