| "The IRU
initiative builds a bridge between two dynamically developing
economic regions - South-East Asia and Europe"
The economic development of countries
depends increasingly on the development
of trade and tourism among them.
However, international trade and tourism
face numerous and difficult challenges,
including the existence of inefficient transport
systems, in particular, inadequate
infrastructures, old, unsafe and highly polluting
vehicles and long border delays.
The UNECE has since 1947 developed
Conventions that facilitate international
road transport and minimize border-crossing
formalities, thus taking up those challenges
successfully. There is no doubt that
the implementation of these UNECE
Conventions in Europe has over the past
fifty years contributed to European economic
development and prosperity.
However, at a moment when the World
Trade Organisation is trying to facilitate
trade at global level, it is important that not
only European countries but also other
countries around the world adhere to and
implement these UNECE Conventions.
The Truck Caravan from China to Europe
will contribute to this endeavour and I,
therefore, welcome it warmly. This new
IRU initiative builds a bridge between two
dynamically developing economic regions -
South-East Asia and Europe- and revives
traditions of ancient times.
The history of trade between Europe and
China has records since the 13th century.
Silk, China ware and many other useful
products came to Europe from China
through what was called the Silk Road.
Merchants and adventurers used this road
to go to China. Among them was Marco
Polo, the first European merchant reaching
Asia and bringing Asian goods to Europe by
land. Then, the sea became for centuries the
main transport route from Europe to China.
The situation started changing
in the late 20th century when
massive road construction was
launched by Asian Governments
and first of all in China. The rapidly
growing Chinese economy
has accelerated road construction
and the development of road transport.
I commend the IRU's and its member organisations'
vision, engagement, leadership
and support for the development of road
transport in Asia as well as between Asia
and Europe through the implementation of
the UNECE facilitation instruments.
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