Ambassador of Kazakhstan Viktor Temirbayev held a meeting with the newly appointed Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport and Communications of Bulgaria Grozdan Karadjov, El.kz cites MFA.
The interlocutors discussed in detail the current state and prospects for further development of cooperation between Astana and Sofia in the transport and logistics sector. During the meeting, special emphasis was placed on the possibility of deepening relations within the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR) in the context of its increasing role in ensuring transport and transit flows between the countries of Europe, Central Asia and China.
Ambassador Temirbayev informed about the Kazakh Government’s measures to develop infrastructure and increase the capacity of Kazakhstan’s ports along the TITR, in particular the construction of a container hub in the port of Aktau and a Sarzha Multifunctional Marine Terminal at Kuryk port. “Bulgaria, like Kazakhstan, plays an important transit role in the global trade chain, and in this context we need to intensify cooperation in the transport and transit sphere,” the Kazakh diplomat stressed.
In addition, the sides exchanged views on enhancing cooperation in the field of international road transport, in particular the possibility of mutually increasing the quota of permit forms.
In turn, Minister Karadjov noted the potential of Bulgaria to become a transport and logistics hub for transit traffic between Asia and Europe, and expressed readiness to intensify cooperation to develop the TITR. The Bulgarian minister also stressed that this would lead, among other things, to an increase in the volume of mutual trade.
In conclusion, the parties agreed to maintain working contacts on all topical issues.