The 2^nd meeting of the Steering Committee (Coordinating Unit)

to monitor and ensure the smooth running of

container trains on the Trans-Asian Railway main line

May 13, 2004

Press Release

The 2^nd meeting of the Steering Committee (Coordinating Unit) to monitor and ensure the smooth running of container trains on the Trans-Asian Railway main line, was held in Tehran on 11-12 May 2004. The meeting was chaired by Mr. Mehran Jadidian, Director General, Commerce and Marketing Department in the Iranian Railways. The representatives from the Transitional Islamic State of Afghanistan, Islamic Republic of Iran, Republic of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Islamic Republic of Pakistan, Republic of Tajikistan, Republic of Turkey and Republic of Uzbekistan as well as the ECO Secretariat participated in the meeting.

             In his inaugural statement Mr. Jadidian pointed out that any success in transit transportation could be achieved merely through collective cooperation on common goals in the region. In view of the growing international attention being received by this part of the world, it was necessary to provide a smooth transportation system in this region. He referred to the creation of international and regional transport corridors in the recent past. He informed the meeting that recently the Railway of Iran had taken major steps to develop container transport. In this connection he pointed out that Iran had invested heavily in the construction of container terminals, bogey replacement terminals and repair depots at Iranian Sarakhs station etc.

             The participants of the meeting shared with each other their experiences regarding the operation of the container trains on the Trans-Asian Railway main line and briefed the meeting on the steps taken by their respective railway authorities to improve facilities for smooth operations of these trains. They also discussed the obstacles in the smooth running of the container trains and suggested ways and means to overcome them.

             The 1^st meeting of the Steering Committee was held in Istanbul on September 7-8, 2003.

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