Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Romania Push Forward Caspian-Black Sea Transport Corridor

On February 10, representatives from the foreign ministries and transport authorities of Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Romania held a video conference to discuss a draft intergovernmental agreement on the establishment and operation of the Caspian Sea-Black Sea International Transport Route, according to the Turkmen Foreign Ministry.

Participants expressed confidence that the quadrilateral agreement, expected to be signed this year, will significantly boost international freight transportation between Central Asia and Europe, The Caspian Post reports citing The Times of Central Asia.

They also highlighted the anticipated positive impact on trade relations among the participating countries and emphasized the importance of involving international cargo transportation organizations to enhance connectivity between European and Asian markets.

The initiative builds on a joint declaration signed by the foreign ministers of Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Romania in Bucharest in March 2019, which set the foundation for the corridor’s development.

The new transport route will link Turkmenistan’s Caspian Sea port of Turkmenbashi with Romania’s Black Sea port of Constanța, passing through the ports of Baku in Azerbaijan and Poti and Batumi in Georgia.