15TH SESSION OF THE BSEC UNION OF ASSOCIATIONS OF VEHICLE TRANSPORTERS KICKS OF IN YEREVAN

ARMENPRESS
May 12, 2009

YEREVAN, MAY 12, ARMENPRESS: 15th session of the Union of Associations
of Vehicle Transporters of Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC)
Organization kicked off today in Yerevan. During the session issues
connected with the problems of the cargo transporters, impact of the
world financial crisis on the sphere, conduction of international
cargo transportations in the states of the region as well as making
the visa regimes easier have been discussed.

A report will also be presented on the implementation of the decisions
made during the previous 14th session. Representatives of BSEC member
states – Armenia, Georgia, Bulgaria, Romania, Moldova, Ukraine, Russia,
Albania and Turkey took part in the session. Delegations of Serbia,
Greece and Azerbaijan do not take part in the session.

Greeting the guests the Armenian Transport and Communication Minister
Gurgen Sargsyan noted that today the BSEC member states face a number
of cargo transportation issues which demand an urgent solution as they
impede the development of trade and economy of the Black Sea states.

"You must convey information on the issues which exist and will be
discussed today here to the governments of your countries. In our
turn we will do our best to give a solution to all the issues as the
development of the economy of each state is directly interconnected
with the development of transportation infrastructures", – the
minister said.

According to him, practical steps are already being undertaken in
that direction in Armenia and not only republican but also province
and rural roads are corresponded to the international standards. The
meeting of BSEC Ministers of Transport was conducted nearly a month
and a half ago within the frameworks of which a number of issues have
been discussed. "Today’s gathering in its turn proves that all our
decisions are realized", – the minister noted.

Chairperson of the BSEC Union of International Vehicle Transportation
Association Vladimir Florevu said that it is very important to discuss
the transportation issues in the conditions of world financial-economic
crisis.

"Our activity is urgent; I hope it will pass efficiently. Besides that
the visit to Yerevan is another opportunity for us to get acquainted
with the culture of this ancient nation", – he said.

Secretary General of the Armenian Association of International Cargo
Transporters Herbert Hambardzumian noted that during this gathering
the issues the cargo transporters face are discussed and ways of
solution of these issues are indicated.

"We aim at establishing conditions and making our trucks to easily
enter into the territory of mentioned states and easily get visas",
– he said.

At the same time H. Hambardzumian said that the world
financial-economic crisis had a negative impact on the activity of
the association and nearly half of the lorries are vacant.

Referring to the issue of banning the vehicles with Armenian numbers
to enter the Turkish territory H. Hambardzumian noted that no issues
of opening borders are discussed during such conferences. During the
latest days Turkey has not banned the entrance into its territory.

"We hope that in the future successes will be registered also in
this direction. We aim at driving our lorries to Russia and Ukraine
through the Turkish or Georgian territory", – he said.

Referring to the opening of "Upper Lars" check-point H. Hambardzumian
noted that the issue will only be regulated in case Russian and
Georgian political relations are normalized. The Armenian side can
not intervene nor mediate.

In his turn Minister G. Sargsyan expressed hope that "Upper Lars"
check-point, which already corresponds to the international standards,
will in the nearest future function. "I think that in the nearest
future Russian-Georgian relations will normalize and the issue will
be solved", – he pointed out.

The Armenian side has already stated that it is ready to restore the
vehicle transportations through the "Upper Lars" check-point.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress