Speeches: Mehmet Kutlu, Deputy Minister, Ministry of Transportation & Communications, Turkey

"Turkey - How has it become a Major Transit Country between Asia and Europe?
Turkey is currently part of the two out of 3 main transport corridors that connect Europe and Asia. European transport network, in the process of integration with the West European transport system via Pan-European Transport Corridors and Areas, is in search of new transport connection projects towards Asia where new markets emerge.
TRACECA is a development program supported by the European Union and intensive studies are carried out in order to further develop this corridor.
Turkey also considers becoming a member of the North-South Corridor where Russia, Iran and India are the prominent actors. However, despite Turkey's great efforts to solve the existing problems of road transport on a bilateral and multi-lateral basis, I must express that most of these problems still prevail. Keeping in mind that these problems partly occur because of the differences in national transport systems, I would like to stress that the main reason is the protective policies of some countries who reject even a partial liberalization of their road transport sectors.
Facilitation of border crossing and harmonization of transport regulation will result in the elimination of non-physical barriers.'

(click on photo to enlarge)

by Mehmet Kutlu
Deputy Minister, Acting Undersecretary of the Turkish Ministry of Transport, Ministry of Transportation & Communications, Turkey

Turkey - How has it become a Major Transit Country between Asia and Europe?

Distinguished Chairman and Distinguished Participants,

First of all, I would like to express that it is a pleasure for me to participate in the 2^nd IRU Euro-Asian Road Transport Conference. I would also like to thank the Government of Iran and the International Road Transport Union for their excellent organization of this Conference and the warm hospitality extended to us.

Keeping in mind the economic role of Asia in the 21st century it is obvious that a great deal of activities should be carried out for the countries of the region. Planning the necessary links between Asia and Europe and facilitation of transit transport, especially for the Asian countries, is an important priority. For this reason, Turkey participates in and supports the prominent projects in the region in order to contribute to the developing volume of trade between Asia and Europe.

Now, in the framework of this panel, I would like to present a brief information on the current situation of transit transport of Turkey which constitutes an integral part of Europe, Caucasus and Asia Transport Corridor.

Turkey's geopolitical position as a link between the East and the West makes the transport sector crucial for the economic development of the region. Turkey is a major player both as a transit country and as an origin and destination of freight. Turkey's expectations with regard to EU accession and the growing role of Turkey in trade between Central Asia and the South Caucasus make the focus on transport even more important.

In this context, Turkey endeavors to develop its existing transport network in the framework of several national and international projects. In the 7^th Five Years Development Plan, transport sector occupied the first place with a 27.2 % of the total public investments and still retains its priority.

Turkey's transport relations in Europe and Asia are carried out in the framework of several bi-lateral, regional and international agreements.

In Europe regulations concerning the regulation of transport are carried out in the framework of UN ECE and ECMT of which Turkey is an active participant. Turkey also participates in a number of European Union transport programs. Regional activities also continue in the framework of BSEC and SECI in order to further enhance co-operation. Finally, Turkey is a member of ESCAP since 1996.

Turkey is currently part of the two out of 3 main transport corridors that connect Europe and Asia. The Turkey - Iran corridor is running smoothly whereas there is only a single interruption at the Van Lake section. The pre-feasibility studies of this part are completed.

European transport network, in the process of integration with the West European transport system via Pan-European Transport Corridors and Areas, is in search of new transport connection projects towards Asia where new markets emerge. The most prominent of such projects is the TRACECA Program which will celebrate its 10^th year. TRACECA, which was originally designed to connect Europe and Asia through East and West Black Sea ports via Caucasia and Caspian, diversified its modes and routes of transport with the participation of Turkey. This project constitutes a considerable part of the historical Silk Road and Turkey planned significant infrastructure projects on this route as one of its 12 members. TRACECA is a development program supported by the European Union and intensive studies are carried out in order to further develop this corridor. The most prominent one is the Istanbul Bosphorus Tube Crossing Project which will provide the uninterrupted access of South East European railway to Asia. The construction will begin in a couple of month's time and provide a considerable increase in capacity and speed for the railway transport upon completion.

I believe that necessary steps for the development of TRACECA corridor will be taken at the ministerial level meeting to be held in Yerevan this week.

Moreover, Turkey has an important role in the international transport activities in North-South direction. We are currently working on the Samsun-Novorrosisk line and Samsun is equipped with the necessary railway facilities. Turkey also considers to become a member of the North-South Corridor where Russia, Iran and Indian are the prominent actors.

Ministry of Transport is in charge of coordinating the feasibility studies and construction of the Kars-Tbilisi Railway Project which constitutes the missing link of the East-West railway connection. During the construction phase of this project, the railway connection towards Caucasia region will be sustained through the railway ferry to be operated between the Ports of Samsun and Batum and Poti. In addition, it is also considered that the East-West corridor reaching West Europe via Mediterranean should be a new alternative. To this end, we propose the railway connection of Samsun Port with Ä°skenderun and Mersin Ports.

Construction work for the East Black Sea Coast Highway continue and Georgian connection via Sarp-Batumi road flows without problems.

Turkey has one of the most important road transport fleets in Europe. Taking into account its strategic position in Eurasia, it is clear that Turkey has an important role in the regional transport. However, despite Turkey's great efforts to solve the existing problems of road transport on a bilateral and multi-lateral basis, I must express that most of these problems still prevail. Keeping in mind that these problems partly occur because of the differences in national transport systems, I would like to stress that the main reason is the protective policies of some countries who reject even a partial liberalization of their road transport sectors. Facilitation of border crossing and harmonization of transport regulation will result in the elimination of non-physical barriers.

For this reason, despite the intense practices for the harmonization of border crossings and standardization of fees and charges on multi-lateral platforms like Transport Corridor Europe Caucasus Asia (TRACECA), Black Sea Pan-European Transport Area (PETrA), Southeast European Cooperative Initiative (SECI) and Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC), no fruitful results were obtained in order to make this route competitive compared to other routes on the same direction.

I believe that the existing corridors on the Black Sea and Caspian network other than the East-West axis will provide considerable contributions to the economic life of the region and Asia. In this framework, I think North-South corridor will contribute a great deal to the regional transport network. I would like express here that Turkey will be pleased to contribute to the better performance of this route.

In order to have a smooth and effective operation of the transport activities within our region Turkey also proposes that not only public institutions but also professional organizations in the field of transport should have a closer collaboration. I believe that intense exchange of information among transport firms, periodical consultation meetings and establishing joint firms should contribute a great deal to the regional co-operation.

Distinguished participants,

Before concluding, I wish that this conference will be successful and new proposals for the benefit of our region will come out.

Thank you.

[ top ]