What to expect from the next Odessa conference on the Eurasian message?

Recently, in Odessa, the exhibition “Inter-transport” was completed, at which, in addition to the purely technical aspects of navigation, the modernization of the port infrastructure in Kherson, Mykolayiv and Donetsk regions, the issues of the transport corridors Europe-Asia, trade facilitation, transport projects within the Baltic, Caspian And the Black Sea.

Delegations from the GUAM countries (Georgia, Ukraine, Azerbaijan, Moldova), led by the Prime Ministers and representatives of the EU, the European Commission participated in the events. No official documents were signed during the round tables and conferences, but the concept of the development of the transport corridor together with the creation of the free trade zone between the GUAM states was discussed quite vividly.

Preparation for serious events

In fact, the lack of results does not mean anything at all, because the MIU is beginning preparations for another high-level conference. The event will take place in early September in Odessa and will be called the “Integrated Transport Corridors Europe-Asia”. The meetings will be held with the participation of the Premiers, heads of transport structures, ambassadors of participating countries, representatives of big business and international organizations.

One of the main items on the agenda of the future event is the formation and growth of the freight flow in the direction of Europe-Asia. This is a key issue for Ukraine, especially after the news that the so-called. “The new Silk Road” has ceased to be considered a promising project, at least for our transport system.

The country’s transit potential needs to be used, but it all depends on the conditions that we are able to offer to international partners. This is well understood in the Mininfrastructures, therefore, within the framework of the summit, a special session is also planned to discuss possible competitive advantages of the new Europe-Asia corridor.

It is too early to talk about which specific infrastructure projects the politicians will try to promote, but, with a high probability, it will be the same as discussed during the meeting of GUAM representatives – modernization of ports and creation of common corridors, simplification of trade in order to obtain optimal value Conditions of cargo transportation.