TRACECA

2024-03-15

The TRACECA transport corridor (Europe–Caucasus–Asia) is an international cooperation program between the European Union and partner countries. It represents a unified system of cargo and passenger transportation connecting Europe and Asia, supporting the development of economic, political, and cultural relations across the region.

The Europe–Caucasus–Asia transport corridor was established in 1993 on the basis of the Brussels Declaration, with the participation of Georgia, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. Ukraine and Moldova later joined the project, followed by Turkey in 2000 and Iran in 2009.

Establishment of TRACECA

In 1993, an international conference was held in Brussels under the auspices of the European Union, which led to the creation of large-scale regional technical assistance programs within the framework of TACIS (Technical Assistance to the Commonwealth of Independent States). This initiative became known as TRACECA (Transport Corridor Europe–Caucasus–Asia).

Development and Technical Projects

Between 1995 and 2008, approximately three dozen technical assistance projects were implemented under the TRACECA program. These projects addressed key priorities including institutional development of transport systems, reform of management structures, improvement of legal and regulatory frameworks, harmonization with Western standards, technical assessments of infrastructure, and development plans for rehabilitation and reconstruction.

These initiatives played a significant role in addressing infrastructure bottlenecks and improving the efficiency of the transport corridor. They also contributed to the creation of new transport facilities and strengthened the overall capacity of the network.

International Agreements

In 1996, in Serakhs (Turkmenistan), four countries—Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, and Georgia—signed the Serakhs Agreement, which included agreements on international transit and coordination of railway transport. Armenia, Tajikistan, and Kyrgyzstan later joined this framework, marking the first international agreement aimed at facilitating the development of the TRACECA transport corridor.

In September 1998, during the summit of TRACECA member states in Baku, leaders of 12 countries signed a multilateral agreement on the development of international transport within the Europe–Caucasus–Asia corridor. This agreement included technical annexes covering railway transport, road transport, international maritime trade, and customs and border procedures.

These agreements established a comprehensive legal and contractual framework for improving international transit, simplifying border crossings, and strengthening economic and transport relations between participating countries. They also supported the institutional development of the TRACECA initiative.

Institutional Development

To coordinate international transit agreements and intergovernmental decisions, the Permanent Secretariat of the TRACECA Intergovernmental Commission was established in Baku in April 2000. This institution provided a structured framework for managing and coordinating the development of the transport corridor.

National secretariats were also established within participating countries, marking a new stage of interstate cooperation. Tbilisi, as the capital of one of the key participating countries, played an important integrating role within the corridor, strengthening its position as a regional logistics and distribution hub.

Modern Role of TRACECA

Today, TRACECA has evolved into a multifunctional transport corridor connecting Europe, the Caucasus, and Asia. It plays a significant role in facilitating international trade, improving logistics infrastructure, and supporting economic development across the region.

TRACECA is closely connected to the Silk Road transport corridor, forming part of a broader network of international trade routes linking Europe and Asia.