Economic and financial organizations
Black Sea Economic Cooperation Organisation
(BSEC)
Establishment: 25th of June 1992, Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, Georgia, Greece, Moldova, Romania, Russia, Turkey and Ukrainian Government officials has signed the Summit Declaration (renamed after as Istanbul Declaration) on establishment Black Sea Economic Cooperation. 25th of June 1992, together with Istanbul Declaration, 11 State and Government officials signed Bosfor Declaration.
Istanbul Declaration affirms principles, fundamentals, directions and initial mechanisms of Black Sea Cooperation. However, Bosfor Declaration shows Istanbul declaration and Black Sea Cooperation initiatives in the main framework.
5th of June 1998 in Yalta city, leaders of State and Government has signed Black Sea Economic Cooperation Charter and in 1999 the document came into force by receiving organisational status.
Organisation consists of 12 members: Azerbaijan, Albania, Armenia, Bulgaria, Greece, Georgia, Moldova, Russia, Romania, Serbia & Montenegro (members since April 2004), Turkey and Ukraine.
International Observers: Egypt, Germany, Israel, Poland, Slovakia, Tunisia, Italy, Austria, and France. Observance is for 2 years.
From the day it was founded it attracts attention of other countries in the region. And this in turn, proves prestige of this organisation.
16-18th of April 2003, at the BSEC's Ministers of Foreign Affair Council's 8th Conference held in Erevan, Ministers responded positively to the Republic of Macedonia and Serbia and Montenegro's membership and invited abovementioned countries to submit their documents in order to become fully-fledged member. In April 2004, by ratifying the charter of BSEC, Serbia & Montenegro become a fully-fledged member of BSEC.
Coordination of Member -States implemented by the Permanent International Secretariat of BSEC. Secretariat is based in Istanbul and its main duty to provide BSEC's administrative work. At present, the duty of Head-Secretary of BSEC's Permanent International Secretariat performs Valeriy Chechelashvili (Georgia). The post of secretary-General is considered for 3 years (with option to be reselected).
It is important to note, that BSEC's Ministries of Foreign Affairs Council met in Baku on 30th April 2004 on 10th conference and the representative of Azerbaijan has been selected as deputy of Secretary-General.
Main organs of BSEC: Head organ - Council of Ministers of Foreign Affair (CMFA)
Council is the main decision-making organ. Conferences take place several times during 6 month with the purpose of analysing cooperation results and appointment of new posts.
Every member chairs organisation for six month and at the end of chairmanship - hosts a CMFA conference on the territory of its country. While chairing, each country's Minister of Foreign Affairs implements BSEC's coordination activity.
Azerbaijan has been chairing meeting since April 2003. 31st of October 2003, during the BSEC's Council of Ministers of Foreign Affairs, by request of Member-States the chairmanship of Azerbaijan was extended for another 6 month (November 2003-April 2004). The next chairmanship will be held by Georgia (April-October).
Within the framework of BSEC, another important organ called Senior Officials Committee represents the Ministers of Foreign Affairs. Duties of the Committee - to control activities of Subsidiary Organs, to evaluate the implementation of decisions and recommendations, as well as presenting suitable proposals to Council. At the same time, Committee as an organisation, generally controls cooperation development within the framework of BSEC. Committee approves its budget by submitting it to the Council. Normally, Meetings of the Committee occur directly after Council's Conferences.
Activities of BSEC are implemented by means of the Working group:
- Working Group on organisational tasks
- Working Group on Trade and Economic Development
- Working Group on Banking and Financial tasks
- Working Group on Statistical and Economic exchange information
- Working Group on Health and pharmacology
- Working Group on Transport
- Working Group on Disaster situations
- Working Group on Collaboration on Crime Prevention
- Working Group on Communication
- Working Group on Power Engineering
- Working Group on Science and Technology
- Working Group on Environmental Protection
- Working Group on Agriculture and Agro-industrial tasks
- Working Group on Tourism
- Working Group on Small and medium size enterprises
Azerbaijan and BSEC
Republic of Azerbaijan is a member of BSEC since 1992. The main participation purposes of Azerbaijan in BSEC is prove and to strengthen the importance role of this organisation in the region, interlink the countries, implement all measures for integration to Europe, continue Azerbaijan's strategy on oil transportation to the west, enforce transit potential, to build multilateral partnership mechanism with key countries (Turkey, Greece, Ukraine, Russia etc) and to develop by protecting our strategic interests.
For the first time in may 6th 2003, our country was responsible in chairing BSEC for 6 moths.
In order to achieve abovementioned goals of Azerbaijan in BSEC it has been designed and realized effective and outstanding chairmanship programme in the framework of the Organization by our Republic. Thus far, has been organized several meetings and conferences in the level of Ministers and Experts that our state possesses comparative advantages in the field of energy (September 18-19, 2003), transport (October 1-3, 2003), tourism (September 25-26, 2003). Indeed, the meeting was held very organized and smooth. As a result of the Ministers of Energy and Transport, there was adopted Baku Declarations directed to promoting of cooperation in respective areas.
The final meeting of Azerbaijan chairmanship was coincided to the 9th Meeting of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of BSEC High Level Group Meeting held on October 29-30, 2003 aimed at preparing the Meeting of Council.
Despite the termination of Azerbaijani chairmanship period on October, 2003 upon the request of member states the Republic of Azerbaijan demonstrated its constructive position and took up the responsibility pursuit of chairmanship for the second period. (October 2003-april 2004)
During the second chairmanship Azerbaijan had demonstrated its fully-fledged intention to underpin toward coordination and cooperation of BSEC member states and initiated to hold various considerable meetings. One of such occasion dedicated to the meeting of BSEC Ministers of Education in Baku on April 15-16, 2004. Another highly appreciated meeting was the 10th Meeting of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of BSEC held in 30 April 2004. Meeting was also remindful with its election for the position of Deputy General Secretary of Permanent International Secretariat of BSEC. With the majority of votes nominee presented by Azerbaijan side (ex-head of Department of Economic Cooperation and Development of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan) gained the this election.
For the first time of BSEC history, during the chairmanship of Azerbaijan new member - Serbiya and Montenegro has accepted to BSEC. By the ratification of BSEC regulation by this country on April 2004, members of the organisation was extended from 11 to 12.
Whilst taking over the chairmanship, Azerbaijan has raised several issues which were of great importance and needed urgent solutions upon further development of the organization.
- incentives on sectoral partnership - was proposed by Azerbaijan chairmanship based on comparative advantages to take concrete measures toward BSEC cooperation.
The issue of trade facilitation has also comprised its significance during the chairmanship of Azerbaijan. In that regard, the draft agreement in facilitation of visa procedures for the businessmen and professional drivers of the region, eliminating of non-tariff barriers were discussed in the several meetings of Working Groups of BSEC. Particularly, it is worth to mention about the realisation of projects supported by Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) in the framework of BSEC. As an outcome of the meeting, recommendations toward trade facilitation were prepared and presented to the attentions of member states. Project on improving of apiculture in Caucasus was designed besides the activities with FAO during the Azerbaijani chairmanship.
The development of SME in the region and the involvement of member states, including its implications were focused on the Meetings BSEC COM Working Group and seminars by the special initiative of Azerbaijan.
- Establishment of Project Development Fund is of great achievements of BSEC in 2004. The purpose of the fund was financing of projects improving the regional cooperation. It is functioned by the volunteer donations of the BSEC member states (30.000$ US). The activities of the fund were stimulated during the chairmanship of Azerbaijan. At this period Azerbaijan, Greece, Romania, Russia and Turkey had remitted its donations. During Azerbaijani chairmanship two of meetings of Administrative Committee of Fund were held. Parallel to this, the working groups of BSEC also started to operate.
- In accordance with the principles of declaration devoted to the 10th anniversary Summit of BSEC (on June, 2002), was established special working group envisaged to give its added-value to Security and Stability of the BSEC region. The task of the group is to draft the action plan compound of the possible contribution of BSEC to the related issue.
- The developments in BSEC saliently highlights its evolution on the changes of extensive political and economic level, as well as in institutional strengthening of organization. In that sense highly valued conception is to reform institutional structure of organization, decision-making process, co-ordination and administration proceedings that tentatively has got to be endorsed against the threats of aforesaid changes. The realization of such arrangements directly affects the success of the activities of BSEC and the tasks, which organization committed to come to life. Meantime, the chairmanship of Azerbaijan delivered those complicated issues on the agenda of BSEC to be discussed and furtherly sorted out. Special action plan was prepared by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The document was embodied the constructive approach of Azerbaijan in the regional cooperation via conceptually analyzing development perspectives of BSEC, including the extending of the authority of Secretary General and High Ranking Group Committee, the quality of professional staff of the secretariat, coordinator country and the improving of Working Group Institution, evaluation of decision-making mechanism, and other certain issues.
- The Extraordinary Meeting of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of BSEC member states was held in Istanbul on May 25, 2004. In the said meeting it was adopted a declaration of "Contribution of BSEC to the regional security and stability".
- Another remindful occasion in 2004 was the Meeting of the Ministers of Internal Affairs held in 3 December 2004. All BSEC member states except Moldova were attended the Meeting. As an outcome of the meeting was signed the an Agreement on "fight against organized crime", Additional Protocol "fight against terrorism", in particular with the Joint declaration of BSEC Ministers of Internal Affairs on fight against human trafficking. The Republic of Azerbaijan signed this Protocol with the clause and declaration.
- 26-29th of December 2004, newly elected Director-General Tedo Japaridze has been on official visit to Baku. During his visit, Japaridze spend his time at various organisations and met with senior government officials. T. Japaridze has also met with president of the Republic of Azerbaijan.
Chronicle of the cooperation between the European Union and the Republic of Azerbaijan
| 15 July 1991 |
Adoption of the Council Regulation No 2157/91 concerning the provision of technical assistance to economic reform and recovery in the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics; |
| 31 December 1991 |
EU Statement on recognition of former Soviet Republics; |
| 10 March 1992 |
EU Statement on Nagorno-Karabakh; |
| 22 May 1992 |
EU Statement on Nagorno-Karabakh; |
| 18 June 1992 |
EU Statement on Nagorno-Karabakh; |
| 15 March 1993 |
EU Statement on Nagorno-Karabakh; |
| 20-26 March 1993 |
Visit of the working group of the European Parliament to the Southern Caucasus region; |
| 7 April 1993 |
EU Statement on Nagorno-Karabakh (demanded unconditional withdrawal of Armenian armed forces from Kalbadjar region of Azerbaijan); |
| 17 June 1993 |
EU Statement on Azerbaijan; |
| 24 June 1993 |
EU Statement on Nagorno-Karabakh; |
| 19 July 1993 |
Adoption of Council Regulation No 2053/93 concerning the provision of technical assistance (TACIS) to economic reform and recovery in the independent States of the former Soviet Union and Mongolia; |
| 3 September 1993 |
EU Statement on Nagorno-Karabakh (reflected the EU concern on occupation of several regions of Azerbaijan by Armenian armed forces and creation of very serious refugee problem in Azerbaijan); |
| 9 November 1993 |
EU Statement on Nagorno-Karabakh (reflected the EU concern on the breach of the ceasefire agreement in the region of Nagorno-Karabakh); |
| 17 January 1994
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Adoption of the EU Presidency Communique on the situation in Azerbaijan; |
| 7 August 1995 |
Adoption of the EU Council Conclusions on Food aid to Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia; |
| 22 April 1996 |
Signature of the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement between the EU and the Republic of Azerbaijan in Luxemburg; |
| 25 June 1996 |
Adoption of the Council Regulation No 1279/96 concerning the provision of assistance (TACIS) to economic reform and recovery in the New Independent States and Mongolia; |
| 25 June 1996
|
First EU-Azerbaijan Parliamentary Meeting in Baku; |
| 13 March 1997 |
Adoption of the Resolution of the European Parliament on the economic and commercial aspects of the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement between the European Communities and their Member States and the Republic of Azerbaijan; |
| 29-30 October 1997
|
Second EU-Azerbaijan Parliamentary Meeting in Brussels; |
| 23 June 1998 |
Third EU-Azerbaijan Parliamentary Meeting in Baku; |
| 29 June 1998 |
Adoption of the EU Council Decision providing exceptional financial assistance to Azerbaijan; |
| 1 March 1999 |
Entry into force of a bilateral Interim Agreement between the EU and Azerbaijan on trade in goods and related matters; |
| 11 March 1999 |
Adoption of the Resolution of the European Parliament on support for the peaceful processes in Caucasus; |
| 22 June 1999 |
Adoption of the Joint Declaration on relations between the EU and the three South Caucasus countries in Luxemburg. All participants agreed on the urgent need of solution of the regional conflicts and intensifying the dialogue; |
| 1 July 1999 |
Entry into force of the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement between the EU and the Republic of Azerbaijan; |
| 12 October 1999 |
First Meeting of the Cooperation Council in Luxemburg; |
| 29 December 1999 |
Adoption of the Council Regulation No 99/2000 concerning the provision of assistance (TACIS) to the partner States in Eastern Europe and Central Asia; |
| 27 March 2000 |
First Meeting of the Cooperation Committee in Brussels, creation of sub-committee on trade/investment issues; |
| 3 April 2000 |
The Decree of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan on opening of the Representation of the Republic of Azerbaijan to the European Union; |
| 17-18 April 2000 |
First Meeting of the EU-Azerbaijan Parliamentary Cooperation Committee in Brussels (political issues, democratisation and settlement of the regional conflicts were in the agenda); |
| 21 July 2000 |
First Meeting of the Cooperation Sub-Committee in Baku (conditions on trade and investment in Azerbaijan, taxation and customs issues were discussed); |
| 10 October 2000 |
Second Meeting of the Cooperation Council in Luxemburg (key points of the agenda were: support for peace settlement and regional cooperation, issues of democracy, rule of law and freedom of mass media); |
| 20-21 February 2001 |
First European Ministerial Troika visit to the South Caucasus region, opening of TRASEKA Secretariat in Baku; |
| 27 February 2001 |
Adoption of the EU Council Conclusions on the South Caucasus; |
| 21-22 May 2001 |
Second Meeting of the EU-Azerbaijan Parliamentary Cooperation Committee in Baku (regional cooperation, political reforms, democratisation and human rights were discussed); |
| 25 June 2001 |
Second Meeting of the Cooperation Committee in Baku (economic issues, Poverty Reduction Strategy, South Caucasus Anti-drug Programme); |
| 28 September 2001 |
EU regional directors' delegation visit to the South Caucasus (Belgium Presidency); |
| 29 October 2001 |
Adoption of EU Troika - South Caucasus Joint Communique; |
| 30 October 2001 |
Third Meeting of the Cooperation Council in Luxemburg; |
| 25-26 February 2002 |
Third Meeting of the EU-Azerbaijan Parliamentary Cooperation Committee in Brussels (settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, regional cooperation, economy and trade, political reforms in Azerbaijan and other issues were in the agenda); |
| 28 February 2002 |
Adoption of the Resolution P5_TA (2002)0085 of the European Parliament on relations with the South Caucasus; |
| 30 April 2002 |
Second Meeting of the Cooperation Sub-Committee in Baku; |
| 19 June 2002 |
Third Meeting of the Cooperation Committee in Brussels (economical issues, implementation of PCA, Cooperation and Assistance programmes and political issues were discussed); |
| 1 October 2002 |
Fourth Meeting of the Cooperation Council in Brussels (regional cooperation, implementation of PCA and other key issues were in the agenda); |
| 7-9 October 2002 |
Visit of the EU political directors' delegation to the South Caucasus (Denmark Presidency); |
| 11 March 2003 |
Adoption of the Communication from the European Commission to the Council and the European Parliament on Wider Europe - Neighbourhood: A New Framework for Relations with our Eastern and Southern Neighbours; |
| 14-15 March 2003 |
Third Meeting of the Cooperation Sub-Committee in Baku; |
| 28-29 April 2003 |
Fourth Meeting of the EU-Azerbaijan Parliamentary Cooperation Committee in Baku (political situation in Azerbaijan, social issues, energy dialogue); |
| 9 June 2003 |
Fourth Meeting of the Cooperation Committee in Baku (economic issues, enlargement of EU, Cooperation and Assistance Programmes and other key issues were discussed); |
| 7 July 2003 |
Appointment of the Ambassador H.Talvitie as the EU Special Representative on South Caucasus; |
| 7-10 July 2003 |
Second EU Ministerial Troika visit to the South Caucasus (Italian Presidency); |
| 30 September 2003 |
Fifth Meeting of the Cooperation Council in Brussels (political issues, peaceful resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, energy dialogue and other issues were in the agenda); |
| 13 October 2003 |
Adoption of the EU Council Conclusions on the Wider Europe - New Neighbourhood policy; |
| 5 November 2003 |
Adoption of the Recommendation from the European Parliament to the EU Council on inclusion of the South Caucasus countries to the Wider Europe - New Neighbourhood policy; |
| 20 November 2003 |
Adoption of the Resolution of the European Parliament on the Communication of the European Commission "Wider Europe - Neighbourhood: A New Framework for Relations with our Eastern and Southern Neighbours"; |
| 21-24 January 2004 |
Visit of the EU Special Representative on the South Caucasus Mr. H.Talvitie to the Southern Caucasus region; |
| 26 February 2004 |
Adoption of the Resolution of the European Parliament on EU's policy towards the South Caucasus; |
| 23-24 April 2004 |
Fourth Meeting of the Cooperation Sub-Committee in Baku; |
| 18-22 March 2004 |
Visit of the EU Special Representative on the South Caucasus Mr. H.Talvitie to Azerbaijan; |
| 12 May 2004 |
Adoption of the Strategy Paper of the European Commission on the European Neighbourhood Policy and recommendation on inclusion of the Southern Caucasus countries to the European Neighbourhood Policy; |
| 17-18 May 2004 |
Visit of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan H.E. Ilham Aliyev to Brussels; |
| 18 May 2004 |
Signature of the protocol to the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA) between the EU and the Republic of Azerbaijan, extending the agreement to the ten new Member States of the EU; |
| 8 June 2004 |
Fifth Meeting of the Cooperation Committee in Brussels; |
| 17-18 June 2004 |
Adoption of the EU Presidency Conclusions and recommendation of the European Commission on inclusion of the Southern Caucasus countries to the European Neighbourhood Policy; |
| 6-7 July 2004 |
Visit of the member of the European Commission (Enlargement) Mr. Yanez Potocnik to Azerbaijan; |
| 14 September 2004 |
Sixth Meeting of the Cooperation Council in Brussels (political issues, energy dialogue and other issues were in the agenda); |
| 16-17 September 2004 |
Visit of the President of European Commission Mr. Romano Prodi to Azerbaijan; |
| 11 February 2005 |
First Meeting of EU-Azerbaijan Sub-Committee on Transport and Energy |
Cooperation between the OSCE and Azerbaijan on Environmental and Economic Concerns
As one may be aware, the OSCE activity consists of three measures and one of those relates to the economic and environmental dimension. In the respect to this dimension, the main interest areas for Azerbaijan in cooperation with the OSCE are as follows:
- Good governance
- Fight against corruption, money laundering and terrorism funding
- Creation of an independent judiciary system
- Improvement of legal and institutional framework
- Attraction of domestic and foreign investment
- Human capacity building
- Creation and development of small and medium size businesses
- Economic development of the regions
- Agriculture and tourism development
- Improvement of social standards, especially within the IDP's (Internally Displaced People's) community
- Protection of the environment
It is within this pattern of cooperation where particular small and large scale national and regional projects are implemented.
For more information, please refer to www.osce.org website.
North-South Corridor Project
Agreement on North-South international transportation corridor was signed among Russian Federation, Republic of India and Iran Islamic Republic.
In spite of Oman's participating in the preparation of the agreement, when the contract was being signed on 12th of September 2000, Oman side has not decided confidently about its joining. After 1 month which was given to Oman side for the signing of the contract, and taking into consideration that Oman didn't sign the contract within this period, Iran as a depositary-country, excluded Oman from the list of countries that were signatories to the Agreement.
The main goals of the Agreement are - increasing the effectiveness of transportation links in order to provide cargo and passenger transportations, provide the entrance of railroad, auto road, sea, river and air transportation to the international markets of commodity and services, and harmonization of transport policies.
North-South international transport corridor is the sum of existing and being build transportation and communication main-lines passing by the seaway from India and Oman, then through Iran, Caspian region, Russian Federation and backwards.
In the framework of the Agreement, a Coordinating council was established due to control regulation of the problems connected with the execution of the provisions of this Agreement. Coordinating Council consists of the representatives of authorized agencies of the Member-Countries and its meetings are convened not less than once a year.
Joining of other countries to the Agreement can be possible after common agreement of all Member-Countries.
Since 1996, the above-mentioned transport corridor is being investigated by NOSTRAC Joint Stock Company. In the written request of the mentioned company to Azerbaijan side, it is noted that in respect of attraction of foreign capital into the project, the most attractive route for the North-South corridor is the railroad passing through Azerbaijan territory. This variant includes building of connecting railroad passing from Astara border point in Iran's territory and Azerbaijan, and also providing of railroad/auto ferry connection between India, Pakistan, Iran, Oman, UAE and Saudi in Persian Gulf and Indian Ocean.
Recently, the tendency of including of notes about The North-South corridor into a number of work documents of international organizations by Russia and Iran is being observed.
In the Baku Declaration signed between the Presidents of Azerbaijan and Russia on 9th of January 2001, it is noted that the Parties should encourage mutually Azerbaijan's joining to The North-South and Russia's joining to the TRACECA transport corridor.
The project offers two ways of railroad connection between Voronezh and Tehran and then between Bandar-Abbas ports:
- along the western coast of Caspian Sea and then passing through Azerbaijan;
- with railroad to the new ferry-boat port near Laqan (Russia) and then to the Anzali port by ferry or up to the new terminal built at the Iran coast of Caspian Sea.
According to the latest information, Armenian side has also expressed its interest for joining the North-South project. In that case, Armenia can make attempt to open the railroad connection with Azerbaijan.
TRACECA Programme Review along with the presence of Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan possesses significant geo-strategic position. It has both economic and political importance. Thus far, consolidating its attempts with various international organizations, particularly with European Union, Azerbaijan has vitally played role in preparing and establishing of TRACECA programme. The Republic of Azerbaijan was one of eight initiator states (along with Georgia, Armenia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan) of post-Soviet countries in the founding of European Commission's TRACECA Programme, which was held its first Conference in Brussels on May 1993. Having become its first meeting, the parties had ensured and discussed issues relating to existing problems in the regional transport and trade infrastructure. Upon the basis of final documents of Conference, it was adopted "Brussels Declaration" establishing foundation of the activity of TRACECA interregional Programme.
Participation of Azerbaijan in TRACECA programme has strategic significance and presents great opportunities for Azerbaijan in the strengthening and enhancing of economic relations with Europe, in particular with integration to world economy and in transforming its transport axes into the international transport network.
Having a comprehensive cognizant of its geostrategic significance connecting Europe and Asia with its intersecting shortest transport routs, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Haydar Aliyev initiated to hold International Conference devoted in restoration of Great Silk Rout in the framework of TRACECA Programme plotted by European Union, brought about signing of Basic Multilateral (MLA) Agreement and adoption of "Baku Declaration" on international transportation for Development of the Corridor "Europe-Caucasus-Asia" transport corridors, was attended by the leaders of nine states (Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, Georgia, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Romania, Turkey, Uzbekistan and Ukraine), 13 International Organizations and delegations from 32 states on May 7-8 1998 in Baku. Consequently, aforementioned agreement was signed by the heads of Governments of 12 states - Azerbaijan, Georgia, Armenia, Bulgaria, Romania, Moldova, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Turkey.
Whereas, in accordance with MLA statute, The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan was defined as a depository of Agreement, and was complemented with establishment of The Permanent Secretariat of the Intergovernmental Commission of the transport corridor - TRACECA. An official opening of the office of the Permanent Secretariat of IGC TRACECA was held on February 21, 2001 in Baku. The guests on the official ceremony were: the ex-President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Heydar Aliyev, ex-Minister of Foreign Affairs and ex-representative of Swedish presidency in EU Anna Lindh, Commissioner for External Relations Christopher Patten, and Secretary General/High Representative of CFSP Javier Solana. The ex-President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Heydar Aliyev presented its compliments and highly appreciated all endeavors in realization of TRACECA programme launched by European Union. Having cognizant the importance of this initiative he also noted that it will pave the way to more great projects.
By order 250 of Cabinet of Ministers dated 21.12.2000 the development of Europe-Caucasus-Asia corridor with the purpose of provision of execution of Basic Multilateral Agreement on International Transportation, was established by State Committee where deputy Minister of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has also participated.
As a result of close cooperation between Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Permanent Secretariat of TRACECA Intergovernmental Commission, it has been defining and resolving existing problems on the implementation of the Program in the country.
Within the framework of cooperation between MFA administration and TRASECA Permanent Secretariat, meeting are held continuously where experts of MFA actively participate in TRACECA Working Group and when MFA meeting are carried out TRASECA members are always invited.
During the implementation of Programme in order to finance the investment projects approximately 14 million Euros was allocated to Azerbaijan
For the past years, within the framework of TRACECA Program with purpose to implement main conditions of Basic Multilateral Agreement vast amount of work has been done in that direction.
Thus, for the past years in order to increase the flow of goods, several improvements on transport corridor have been made: main automobile roads, railway network and construction and renovation of bridges, railroads, vessels, transport and ports.
It was constructed a new port with the potential of installing and uninstalling of 10 million tons of oil in Baku.
Furthermore, it is going to begin reconstructing activities for Baku Business Port's standing-port in near future, in Baku.
With the intention of implementing these projects 255 million dollars credit was given government of Azerbaijan by various financial Institutions (EBRD, Kuwait Economic Development Fund, Islamic Development Bank and World Bank)
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan observes closely at realisation of TRACECA program objectives and will actively participate in this process. Activities of MFA in this spheres undergoes in 2 directions:
Being responsible as Depository of MLA, The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan has committed to conduct all correspondence with the member states upon respective documents in regard to Agreement and inform them concerning to any notification.
In accordance with the legislation in regard to diplomatic service of the Republic of Azerbaijan, this respective Ministry is subject to carrying out of representation function of our Republic to pursue all necessary negotiations and relations having with international organizations, to identify promote TRACECA programme as one of national priority areas aiming at making a proposals to ameliorate the activities of transport corridor Europe-Caucasus-Asia, advocating the interests of TRACECA in the framework of international organizations and in the level of bilateral relations during the conducted meetings and conferences.
As a follow-up of activities of recent years in the direction of attracting the transport corridor TRACECA in Azerbaijan, as well as in other member states of MLA, extensively the programme has achieved tangible results in the form of increase in transportation of freight volume. Particularly, through central segment of corridor (Azerbaijan-Georgia) had been carried 33 mln. tones of various freight by all modes of transport during January-November of 2002, which were more than 10,6% in comparison with 2001. Indeed, volume of all transit freight transport via TRACECA transport corridor has risen 12 times from 1996 to 2002.
Chronological evolution of TRACECA programme
1995
It was held first meeting of working group of the programme in Almati. During this meeting, as well as in next meeting held in Vienna, it was proposed to provide technical assistance and investment projects, namely "Transport management training", "Legal and regulatory framework of transport", "Rehabilitation of Caucasus railway" in the second working group meeting of TRACECA programme. Meanwhile, the main obstacles toward progress of the TRACECA Programme were challenges of transition period, disturbance of economic relations and ethnic conflicts. Overtly, transport corridor to Europe-Caucasus-Asia was functionalised after signing of Serakh Agreement by the Presidents of Azerbaijan, Georgia, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan in 1996, which aims at establishing a common policy in transport. In the same year, while holding 3rd meeting of working group in Athens, Ukraine was accepted to the Programme.
1997
In Tbilisi a joint TRACECA-Black Sea Economic Cooperation Organization (BSEC) Conference was organized. Having began from that year it was ensured to set technical-economic assessment in construction of new terminals in Poti and Batumi Ports, establishment of cotton export center in Bukhara, and to found new projects for activating of computerized database to facilitate the functions of Poti and Ilyichevsk (Ukraine) Ports, container services between Baku and Turkmenbashi Ports improving the links across the Caspian Sea.
1998
By the welcome initiative of ex-President Heydar Aliyev to host a Presidential Conference in the Caucasus in 1998, that could lead to adoption of the Multilateral Agreement on Transport initiated within the TRACECA programme. With the support of TRACECA programme, this initiative has resulted in the International Conference "TRACECA-Restoration of the Historic Silk Route" that was held on September 8, 1998 in Baku. This conference was attended by the Presidents of Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, Georgia, Armenia, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Romania, Turkey, Ukraine and Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kazakhstan) representatives of the European Commission, heads of governments, and transport ministries, experts from 32 countries as well as the representatives of 13 international organizations. The important achievement of the conference was the signing of the "Basic Multilateral Agreement on International Transport for Development of the Transport Corridor Europe-Caucasus-Asia" (MLA).
2000
First Conference of the TRACECA Inter-governmental Commission was held in Tbilisi. One of the main fruitful results of the meeting was accession of The Republics of Turkey, Bulgaria and Romania to the MLA. The Conference adopted the Rules of procedures of the Intergovernmental Commission as well as the Statutes of the Permanent Secretariat. In Baku in 2000, designing of TRACECA action plan, the meeting of working group on legal documents of programme and the meeting of heads of railway offices on amendments of adopted documents upon tariff policy were the milestone of this event. During the meeting of working groups, it has been focusing on technical economic assessment of reconstruction and restoration of Baku-Tbilisi-Yerevan railway line as well as it was proposed reconstruction of Aktau rail ferry terminal.
2001
Extraordinary Meeting of IGC TRACECA on development of the transport corridor Europe-Caucasus-Asia was held in Tbilisi. In accordance with results of the meeting, working group's task were about ensuring the action plan of programme for the next years in Varna (Bulgaria) and legal issues negotiating in Baku. Furthermore, in the same year meeting of plenipotentiary experts dedicated in tariff policy of railway, ports and shipping companies of TRACECA member states was held in Baku. An official opening of the office of the Permanent Secretariat of IGC TRACECA was held in 2001 in Baku.
2002
The Second Annual Conference of IGC TRACECA took place in Tashkent. The new map of TRACECA member states was published and firs publication of "TRACECA Life" journal was realized.
2003
With the attendance of juridical experts of foreign affairs ministries of TRACECA member states and national secretaries were held meeting of working group in Baku. The Third Annual Meeting of the Intergovernmental Commission (IGC) TRACECA took place on October 9-10, 2003 in Yerevan. It was signed the joint Memorandum between the TRACECA IGC and the Council of railway offices of NIS countries. Meanwhile, it wad adopted joint Memorandum between IGC TRACECA and International Secretariat of BSEC. Moreover, as a result of the meeting of heads of Railways, Ports and Shipping Companies held in Baku, were agreed to adopt action plan for the next years and Baku Declaration.
TRACECA Programme is one of the greatest projects of XXI century evoking of restoration of Historical Silk Rout. As soon as it will be realized, incremental integration of South-Caucasus and Middle Asia countries to the Europe will be successfully fulfilled.
