Kuleba: Europe–Central Asia transit route should start from Ukrainian ports

Ukraine makes efforts to become a part of the Europe–Central Asia transit route, where Ukrainian ports would be the entry point into Europe.

Foreign Minister of Ukraine Dmytro Kuleba made a corresponding statement within the framework of the forum “Infrastructure of Southern Ukraine”, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

The minister noted that the development of domestic maritime industry, ports, and transit routes, as well as the attraction of investors to concession projects were always discussed during the talks held by the President of Ukraine, the Prime Minister, and the Foreign Minister.

"I recently spoke with a colleague from Turkmenistan, and one of the key topics of conversation was the construction of the Europe–Central Asia transit route, where Ukrainian ports would be the entry point into Europe, while the Turkmenbashi International Seaport in the Caspian Sea, which has received significant investments, would be the entry point into Central Asia," Kuleba said.

He added that currently this transit route was mostly geared to Romania, saying that "we have to seize this initiative because although Romania is a very friendly country, competition in trade remains competition and nobody has canceled it yet."

The minister noted that the COVID-19 pandemic was changing supply chains which, despite the new challenges, created new opportunities to take advantage of.

Kuleba also assured that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs together with NATO allies and partners was making efforts to stabilize the security situation in the Black Sea so that Russia "does not create direct or indirect barriers to trade through Ukrainian ports by its exercises and actions."

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