Transport ministers of European Union (EU) and Asian countries have invited countries of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) to cooperate in the development of the East-West transport corridor, for the delivery of cargoes to Europe from China and the Far East.
The meeting participants believe it is necessary to seek assistance from international financial organisations to the implementation of projects for the development of transit European-Asian transport infrastructure with special emphasis on railways and inter-modal linkages of ground transport, says the declaration. The ASEM dialogue participants also intend to invite CIS countries located on the route of the East-West corridor to take part in its development.
"Transport is one of the most important engines of the economy," Lithuanian Transport and Communications Minister Eligijus Masiulis who hosted the forum on Tuesday, noted. Transport Minister of China that was Lithuania's partner in the organisation of the transport summit, Li Shenglin, said for his part that China is ready to actively settle the emerging problems of European-Asian cooperation, because it is interested in the maximally free and quick movement of cargoes on this route.
The Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) was officially established in 1996 at the first summit in Bangkok. ASEM is an interregional forum which consists of the European Commission, the twenty-seven members of the European Union (EU), the thirteen members of the ASEAN Plus Three regional grouping, and, as of 2008, India, Mongolia, and Pakistan.