BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 23. The European
Commission has launched a “Connectivity Agenda” platform aimed at
strengthening links between Europe and Central Asia through the
Black Sea region and the South Caucasus.
According to the Commission, the initiative is expected to help
attract up to €2 billion in investment for transport infrastructure
in the region, based on agreements reached with international
financial institutions.
The platform will serve as a unified framework for coordinating
investments and policy measures in the areas of transport, energy,
digital connectivity and trade, the European Commission said.
Strengthening the operation of the Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor
(TCTC) has been identified as one of the initiative’s key
priorities.
European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos said: "At a time
of growing conflict, it is great to see so many countries come
together around a shared project. We need reliable trade routes,
and the Trans-Caspian Transport Corridor has emerged as exactly
that. Trade along the route could increase fivefold over the next
15 years. To make this happen, we need to bring our efforts
together. Many projects and initiatives are already under way. The
Platform will connect them, fill the remaining infrastructure gaps
and link the route from end to end."
Commissioner for International Partnerships Jozef Síkela said
the investments would support the modernization of border
crossings, infrastructure development and trade facilitation.
European Commissioner for Sustainable Transport Apostolos
Tzitzikostas stressed that strong transport networks are crucial
for economic competitiveness, adding that the project would create
new economic opportunities for both the EU and its partner
countries.
