EURO-ASIAN ECONOMIC BOOM FACING TRANSPORT RISKS
Geneva, 15 February 2008 -- The recent unprecedented economic growth of Euro-Asian countries is at risk if the current transport situation is not addressed. Geo-political changes and a surge in global trade have brought about extensive development in countries along the Euro-Asian land bridge. But for landlocked countries and countries with economies in transition the all important access to markets is not guaranteed. Poor or non-existent transport infrastructure, congested ports and hinterland connections, as well as cumbersome border crossing procedures, are all in danger of hampering the development of the region. Transport and border issues urgently need the attention of decision-makers.
The political will and commitment to resolve these issues will be put to the test in the upcoming Meeting of Transport Ministers from Euro-Asian countries on Tuesday 19 February at the Palais des Nations, Geneva. The Ministers are expected to reaffirm their support by approving a joint statement on the future development of Euro-Asian transport links.
More than twenty Ministers, Deputy Ministers and high-level officials from Euro-Asian countries will meet, together with senior representatives from two United Nations Regional Commissions, the European Commission, as well as OSCE*, BSEC* and IRU* amongst others, to tackle issues related to improving Euro-Asian inland transport connections, border crossing and transit.
The Meeting, which is hosted by the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), is open to the public.
A Press Conference will take place at 2.45 p.m. on Tuesday 19 February with selected Ministers and senior officials.
For further information please visit: http://www.unece.org/trans and/or contact:
Mrs. Eva Molnar, Director
or
Mr. Michalis P. Adamantiadis, Chief of Transport and Infrastructure
Development Section
UNECE Transport Division
Palais des Nations
CH – 1211 Geneva 10, Switzerland
Phone: +41 (0)22 917 24 01, 917 11 28
Fax: +41 (0)22 917 00 39
E-mail: [email protected] -
[email protected]
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* Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC), International Road Transport Union (IRU)
Ref: ECE/TRANS/08/P01