IRU Secretary General Habib Turki met with senior leaders from Türkiye’s business community and the Organization of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC) to advance regional connectivity, facilitate international trade and remove barriers.
Habib Turki has held talks with Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu, President of IRU member the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Türkiye (TOBB), and Ambassador Lazar Comanescu, Secretary General of the Organization of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC).
The discussions focused on building on longstanding partnerships, expanding TIR and digital transit operations, and improving the movement of goods across the Black Sea region and beyond.
Driving trade
Meeting in Ankara, Habib Turki and Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu explored measures to expand TIR operations, accelerate eTIR implementation and improve border crossings along strategic corridors connecting Europe, Central Asia and the Middle East.
Particular attention was given to reducing waiting times at Türkiye’s borders, including through TIR green lanes and the further digitalisation of customs procedures.
Habib Turki and Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu also looked at challenges affecting professional drivers, particularly Schengen visa restrictions. Improving driver mobility is key to supporting efficient international transport operations.
Bolstering cooperation
In Istanbul, Habib Turki and Lazar Comanescu reviewed opportunities to deepen cooperation on regional transport and trade connectivity.
Both sides welcomed the longstanding partnership between IRU and BSEC and expressed their commitment to expanding joint efforts to facilitate international road transport.
Discussions highlighted the importance of efficient transport corridors, smoother border crossings and closer institutional cooperation in supporting trade across the Black Sea region. Together, the two meetings reflected IRU’s commitment to working with regional partners to remove barriers to trade, facilitate cross-border transport and support more efficient and resilient supply chains.