The efforts undertaken by Azerbaijan as the country presiding over the International Transport Forum (ITF) are crucial. Without Azerbaijan's active involvement, we would not have been able to organize this event at this level, Ivan Bednárik, Czech Minister of Transport, told journalists.
Noting that the Czech Republic will take over the ITF chairmanship from Azerbaijan at this Summit, the minister said: “And I think we will follow in this work, and this is important for all members because the leadership of good members like Azerbaijan or Czech Republic don’t let ITF stagnate.”
Touching upon the relations between Azerbaijan and Czech Republic in the transportation area, Ivan Bednárik said that the Czech Prime Minister and the Azerbaijani President last week opened the door for the cooperation in this sector. “And now me and Minister Rashad Nabiyev will follow and finalize the question of connectivity between Czech and between Azerbaijan, or between Prague and Baku. Because I think our industries can cooperate for investment in infrastructure, transport, transport connection, the cargo businesses. These are points which are important for both and, of course, today digitalization and mobility is more and more important for not only the railway, airplane, for everything, for transport and for industry. The Czech Republic has rich experience in railway for example, with modern wagons, modern locomotives, modern trains, modern metro, and your country has a lot of works in digitalization and this is vice versa help both,” the minister mentioned.
Highlighting the potential of both countries located on international transport corridors such as the Middle Corridor and the Silk Road in this field, Ivan Bednárik said: “This is why we are happy for opening the door. Because Azerbaijan is most important for us in Central Asia like we are most important for Azerbaijan like Central Europe. This geographical position is interesting and why not use it or why not be working for making profit for our people.”
Elvin Movsum
Special correspondent
