Turkmenistan is located in a favorable geographical situation at the crossroads of the main routes of the continent providing the countries of the Region the rapidly forming in our state the multimodal transport infrastructure to ensure strategic transit corridors of Euroasia. This fact and the constructive initiative of the leader of the nation became the basis for the decision of the United Nations to hold the first in the history of the Global Conference on Sustainable Transport System in Ashgabat in November 26-27 of this year.
This forum is designed to be an effective step in the further development of mutually beneficial international partnerships in this critical area. It will be held in the Turkmen capital in accordance with the Resolution of the United Nations to assist the creation of sustainable multilateral transport and transit corridors, to ensure full cooperation among all modes of transport, adopted in December 2015, at the 70th session of the United Nations General Assembly.
This is the second document on international transport issues, initiated by the President of Turkmenistan and is unanimously approved by the United Nations. A powerful impetus of cooperation in this field, of course, has become a high-level conference on the role of transit and transport corridors to ensure international cooperation, stability and sustainable development held in Ashgabat in September 2014.
An important component of our country's transportation system is the civil aviation, which is also successfully expanding world economy links in the international airspace. In this context, the leader of the nation initiated and systematically put into practice large-scale projects for the construction of new airports, terminals, facilities engineering and technical purposes, reconstruction of existing ones, improving the work of the country's air fleet.
The park of "Turkmenhowayollary" has 11 aircraft of 8 brands and helicopters of 8 brands. So, in 2013, the three aircrafts "Boeing-737-800" was delivered, and in 2014 - two aircrafts "Boeing-777-200 LR». In April 2015, President of Turkmenistan issued the Resolution on purchasing of three aircarfts "Boeing 737-800". In addition, it is being reviewed to purchase aircrafts of different companies for 50 and 100 passengers to be used for local lines.
New helicopters are also the most adapted to the geographical conditions of Turkmenistan, as can be landed in the most remote areas, including mountain and desert terrain, which significantly expands the range of use of air technology. In addition, the machines are equipped with the most modern navigation equipment, allowing flying in almost any weather conditions.
Upon increasing the number of aircrafts and purchasing new equipment it is required more trained professionals. Therefore, an important task was to train cardres. In particular, employees of the Service have been trained in the UK, USA, and France. The "Turkmenhowayollary" specialists studied in German and British airlines, using different types of aircraft, including airliners and comfortable new generation of "Boeing".
At present time, the aircrafts of "Turkmenhowayollary", in addition to domestic airlines, it is undergoing the operation of regular flights to dozens of countries and geography of flights is constantly expanding.
So, it was initialed an intergovernmental agreement on air communication between Turkmenistan and Luxembourg. Since June of last year Europe's largest carrier - company «Cargolux Airlines International» started operating cargo flights from Luxembourg-Turkmenbashi, and to Ashgabat in June of the current year.
Negotiations were held with the Turkish airline «Pegasus» on the prospects of cooperation, opening its representative office in Turkmenistan, and in the near future, the company will start operating flights on the route Istanbul - Turkmenbashi.
Particular attention is paid to the introduction of new technologies in the development of aeronautical infrastructure and improvement of the quality of customer management sphere. Currently, in order to sell airtickets of the State National Service "Turkmenhowayollary" through the Internet contract with the company "Hitit" (Turkish Republic) to establish an electronic system and organization of internet sales. In addition, it provides introduction of benefits to passengers using regular T5 flights.
A new ultra-modern international airport of Ashgabat, designed to become the main "air gates" of Turkmenistan, a major transit hub in continental and intercontinental air routes is being built at the rapid pace. The international airport is being built in the city of Turkmenabat and Dashogus airports having completed construction of a modern runway with the length of 3800 meters. Since 2010, it is operating International Airport in the city of Turkmenbashi.
Air transport is extremely important for tourism. Most of the passengers of international airlines are traveling for tourism, business or cultural purposes, so here the national aviation plays a key role, providing a significant multiplier effect on the Turkmen economy.
Stressing the importance of intensifying constructive dialogue on development of the world transport system with specialized UN agencies, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov proposed on the based on the experience of the International Road Transport Union (IRU), the UNECE and ESCAP to discuss the possibility of creating Modal Highway in Central Asia with access to Turkey.
Turkmenistan is also ready to act as a partner and member of the program "Europe-Caucasus-Asia" (TRACECA), because the formation of the western transport corridor from Central Asia is of great importance in the context of goals implementation of the revival of Great Silk Road and union of two world economic poles of Eurasia at qualitatively new criteria.
Another illustrative example is initiated by President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov a draft of a new transport corridor "Central Asia - Middle East" (Uzbekistan-Turkmenistan-Iran-Oman) developed with a view to possible participation in it of neighboring countries.
An important link in the international transport traffic between the states of the Asian region aims to become the railway Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Tajikistan. The first phase of the project envisages the construction of two sections of its 85-kilometer line Atamyrat-Imamnazar within Turkmenistan and 38 km - from the village to Imamnazar Andkhoy in Afghanistan.
The railroad Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Tajikistan intended to stimulate trade between countries of the region. Implementation of a number of joint infrastructure projects in Afghanistan will give a powerful impetus to further development of the Afghan economy, which will contribute to the solution of important social issues, ensuring employment of the population.
The railway route Kazakhstan-Turkmenistan-Iran, as the "golden link" of the international transport corridor "North-South", will provide a convenient and cost-effective delivery of goods from Europe to Central and South Asia, Middle East. Putting it into operation in December 2014 is also relevant in view of a possible link up with the "East-West" transport network, the transcontinental route across the Caspian, China-Central Asia-Caucasus-Europe.
From an economic point of view, all railway routes represents the shortest way for the delivery of goods, including transit, and in the future - and for passenger transport. And in today's conditions, the time is a critical factor. In this context, reducing turnover terms provides a significant competitive advantage. It, in turn, is reflected in the business and, ultimately - in the growth of welfare of the peoples of the partner countries.
With completion of railway route construction in the territory of Iran it will be convenient and cost-effective route for dozens of other countries in both northern and southern vectors. The new highway will give a powerful impetus to the development of the Caspian Sea region, including the expansion of its transport, industrial and social infrastructure.
In recent years, the rolling stock of railway transport of the country completely renewed, purchased more than a thousand freight wagons, including self lifting -wagons, hopper-for transportation of bitumen, tankers for oil transportation, cement carrier, etc. It was purchased a large number of wagons for passenger trains and locomotives.
In connection with the ongoing large-scale construction of railroads it is received large shipments of various techniques: cranes, stackers roads, machinery for lifting the rails and their fixing and polishing, motorized platforms and other installations, technical diagnostics (computerized wagon-laboratories) and equipment and machines of the latest developments.
All this allows us to effectively and efficiently resolve problems of traffic safety, resource saving, introduction of advanced technologies in railways. It is modernized branch communication system and power supply.
The establishment of international transit transport infrastructure is actively oundergone the construction of a new international sea port of Turkmenbashi. In the near future, the "sea gate" will be the largest logistics center in the region.
This large-scale investment project involves the construction of car-passenger ferry terminal with a total area of 230 thousand square meters and a container terminal with a total area 249 thousand square meters. The complex will include a general loading terminal, bulk cargo terminal, the terminal polypropylene, as well as shipbuilding and ship-repair factory, which will occupy an area of 166 thousand square meters.
Commissioning of the last objects will, in fact, mean the emergence of a domestic shipbuilding industry. The capacity of auto-passenger and container terminals and ferries meet the high demand in services for the carriage of goods and passengers in the Caspian Sea, including transit. The annual capacity of multi-functional port will be 15 million tons of cargo of different purposes.
Given the prospects of development of the economies of Central Asian countries, it is projected to increase mutual turnover volumes and increase the flow of goods in transit to these countries through the port of Turkmenbashi. Car passengers will also serve as an incentive to expand transport links.
Thus, Turkmenistan, forming its own approaches to these aspects, comes from transforming the rapidly growing potential of transit transport conveyance in the economic interest of not only the region, but also of the wider - intercontinental scales.
This forum is designed to be an effective step in the further development of mutually beneficial international partnerships in this critical area. It will be held in the Turkmen capital in accordance with the Resolution of the United Nations to assist the creation of sustainable multilateral transport and transit corridors, to ensure full cooperation among all modes of transport, adopted in December 2015, at the 70th session of the United Nations General Assembly.
This is the second document on international transport issues, initiated by the President of Turkmenistan and is unanimously approved by the United Nations. A powerful impetus of cooperation in this field, of course, has become a high-level conference on the role of transit and transport corridors to ensure international cooperation, stability and sustainable development held in Ashgabat in September 2014.
An important component of our country's transportation system is the civil aviation, which is also successfully expanding world economy links in the international airspace. In this context, the leader of the nation initiated and systematically put into practice large-scale projects for the construction of new airports, terminals, facilities engineering and technical purposes, reconstruction of existing ones, improving the work of the country's air fleet.
The park of "Turkmenhowayollary" has 11 aircraft of 8 brands and helicopters of 8 brands. So, in 2013, the three aircrafts "Boeing-737-800" was delivered, and in 2014 - two aircrafts "Boeing-777-200 LR». In April 2015, President of Turkmenistan issued the Resolution on purchasing of three aircarfts "Boeing 737-800". In addition, it is being reviewed to purchase aircrafts of different companies for 50 and 100 passengers to be used for local lines.
New helicopters are also the most adapted to the geographical conditions of Turkmenistan, as can be landed in the most remote areas, including mountain and desert terrain, which significantly expands the range of use of air technology. In addition, the machines are equipped with the most modern navigation equipment, allowing flying in almost any weather conditions.
Upon increasing the number of aircrafts and purchasing new equipment it is required more trained professionals. Therefore, an important task was to train cardres. In particular, employees of the Service have been trained in the UK, USA, and France. The "Turkmenhowayollary" specialists studied in German and British airlines, using different types of aircraft, including airliners and comfortable new generation of "Boeing".
At present time, the aircrafts of "Turkmenhowayollary", in addition to domestic airlines, it is undergoing the operation of regular flights to dozens of countries and geography of flights is constantly expanding.
So, it was initialed an intergovernmental agreement on air communication between Turkmenistan and Luxembourg. Since June of last year Europe's largest carrier - company «Cargolux Airlines International» started operating cargo flights from Luxembourg-Turkmenbashi, and to Ashgabat in June of the current year.
Negotiations were held with the Turkish airline «Pegasus» on the prospects of cooperation, opening its representative office in Turkmenistan, and in the near future, the company will start operating flights on the route Istanbul - Turkmenbashi.
Particular attention is paid to the introduction of new technologies in the development of aeronautical infrastructure and improvement of the quality of customer management sphere. Currently, in order to sell airtickets of the State National Service "Turkmenhowayollary" through the Internet contract with the company "Hitit" (Turkish Republic) to establish an electronic system and organization of internet sales. In addition, it provides introduction of benefits to passengers using regular T5 flights.
A new ultra-modern international airport of Ashgabat, designed to become the main "air gates" of Turkmenistan, a major transit hub in continental and intercontinental air routes is being built at the rapid pace. The international airport is being built in the city of Turkmenabat and Dashogus airports having completed construction of a modern runway with the length of 3800 meters. Since 2010, it is operating International Airport in the city of Turkmenbashi.
Air transport is extremely important for tourism. Most of the passengers of international airlines are traveling for tourism, business or cultural purposes, so here the national aviation plays a key role, providing a significant multiplier effect on the Turkmen economy.
Stressing the importance of intensifying constructive dialogue on development of the world transport system with specialized UN agencies, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov proposed on the based on the experience of the International Road Transport Union (IRU), the UNECE and ESCAP to discuss the possibility of creating Modal Highway in Central Asia with access to Turkey.
Turkmenistan is also ready to act as a partner and member of the program "Europe-Caucasus-Asia" (TRACECA), because the formation of the western transport corridor from Central Asia is of great importance in the context of goals implementation of the revival of Great Silk Road and union of two world economic poles of Eurasia at qualitatively new criteria.
Another illustrative example is initiated by President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov a draft of a new transport corridor "Central Asia - Middle East" (Uzbekistan-Turkmenistan-Iran-Oman) developed with a view to possible participation in it of neighboring countries.
An important link in the international transport traffic between the states of the Asian region aims to become the railway Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Tajikistan. The first phase of the project envisages the construction of two sections of its 85-kilometer line Atamyrat-Imamnazar within Turkmenistan and 38 km - from the village to Imamnazar Andkhoy in Afghanistan.
The railroad Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Tajikistan intended to stimulate trade between countries of the region. Implementation of a number of joint infrastructure projects in Afghanistan will give a powerful impetus to further development of the Afghan economy, which will contribute to the solution of important social issues, ensuring employment of the population.
The railway route Kazakhstan-Turkmenistan-Iran, as the "golden link" of the international transport corridor "North-South", will provide a convenient and cost-effective delivery of goods from Europe to Central and South Asia, Middle East. Putting it into operation in December 2014 is also relevant in view of a possible link up with the "East-West" transport network, the transcontinental route across the Caspian, China-Central Asia-Caucasus-Europe.
From an economic point of view, all railway routes represents the shortest way for the delivery of goods, including transit, and in the future - and for passenger transport. And in today's conditions, the time is a critical factor. In this context, reducing turnover terms provides a significant competitive advantage. It, in turn, is reflected in the business and, ultimately - in the growth of welfare of the peoples of the partner countries.
With completion of railway route construction in the territory of Iran it will be convenient and cost-effective route for dozens of other countries in both northern and southern vectors. The new highway will give a powerful impetus to the development of the Caspian Sea region, including the expansion of its transport, industrial and social infrastructure.
In recent years, the rolling stock of railway transport of the country completely renewed, purchased more than a thousand freight wagons, including self lifting -wagons, hopper-for transportation of bitumen, tankers for oil transportation, cement carrier, etc. It was purchased a large number of wagons for passenger trains and locomotives.
In connection with the ongoing large-scale construction of railroads it is received large shipments of various techniques: cranes, stackers roads, machinery for lifting the rails and their fixing and polishing, motorized platforms and other installations, technical diagnostics (computerized wagon-laboratories) and equipment and machines of the latest developments.
All this allows us to effectively and efficiently resolve problems of traffic safety, resource saving, introduction of advanced technologies in railways. It is modernized branch communication system and power supply.
The establishment of international transit transport infrastructure is actively oundergone the construction of a new international sea port of Turkmenbashi. In the near future, the "sea gate" will be the largest logistics center in the region.
This large-scale investment project involves the construction of car-passenger ferry terminal with a total area of 230 thousand square meters and a container terminal with a total area 249 thousand square meters. The complex will include a general loading terminal, bulk cargo terminal, the terminal polypropylene, as well as shipbuilding and ship-repair factory, which will occupy an area of 166 thousand square meters.
Commissioning of the last objects will, in fact, mean the emergence of a domestic shipbuilding industry. The capacity of auto-passenger and container terminals and ferries meet the high demand in services for the carriage of goods and passengers in the Caspian Sea, including transit. The annual capacity of multi-functional port will be 15 million tons of cargo of different purposes.
Given the prospects of development of the economies of Central Asian countries, it is projected to increase mutual turnover volumes and increase the flow of goods in transit to these countries through the port of Turkmenbashi. Car passengers will also serve as an incentive to expand transport links.
Thus, Turkmenistan, forming its own approaches to these aspects, comes from transforming the rapidly growing potential of transit transport conveyance in the economic interest of not only the region, but also of the wider - intercontinental scales.