Ankara, April 07, 2024, The Europe Today: President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey has officially approved the Memorandum of Understanding aimed at facilitating transit customs procedures within the scope of the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars (BTK) railway project, a significant regional infrastructure initiative involving Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Turkey.
As reported by Azernews and highlighted in the Official Gazette of the Republic of Turkey, the decision to approve this memorandum was made on August 18, 2022, pursuant to Article 5 of Law No. 244 and Articles 2 and 3 of Presidential Decree No. 9.
The approved memorandum, titled “Memorandum of Understanding on the Exchange of Initial Information for the Facilitation of Transit Customs Procedures within the Framework of the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars Railway Project,” was signed by representatives of the respective governments:
Shahin Baghirov, Deputy Chairman of the State Customs Committee of Azerbaijan (temporarily performing the duties of the chairman)
Rıza Tuna Turagay, Deputy Minister of Trade of Turkey and Head of the Customs Administration
Levan Kakava, Director of Revenue Service on behalf of the Georgian government
The primary objective of this memorandum is to enable the electronic exchange of initial information to streamline customs procedures for goods transported in transit through the territories of Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Turkey as part of the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway project.
The approval of this memorandum underscores the commitment of all three countries to enhance logistical connectivity and trade facilitation within the region, leveraging the strategic importance of the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway corridor.
The Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway project, inaugurated in 2017, serves as a crucial transport link connecting the Caspian Sea region to Turkey and Europe, promoting economic integration and cooperation among participating countries.
This development marks another milestone in the ongoing efforts to strengthen regional cooperation and infrastructure connectivity, fostering greater economic opportunities and trade relations among Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Turkey.
