TRACECA

TRACECA was established in May 1993 in Brussels, upon the signing of a Multilateral Agreement on International Transport for the development of transport initiatives (including the establishment and development of a road corridor) between EU member states, Eastern European, Caucasus and Central Asian countries. The programme supports the political and economic independence of former Soviet Union republics through enhancing their access to European and global markets through road, rail and sea. The objectives of TRACECA were underlined by the Baku Initiative of 2004, followed by a further ministerial conference in Sofia, Bulgaria, in 2006. ==Membership==

The following states currently participate in the TRACECA program: However, technical assistance has not been provided to Iran since 2010 due to EU sanctions. Observer members In 1996, Mongolia was granted observer status. In 2009, Lithuania was granted observer status. In March 2018, Greece was granted observer status during a meeting held in Yerevan. ==International cooperation==

TRACECA has signed numerous Memorandums of Understanding and cooperation agreements with other international organizations, including the Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation Program, Economic Cooperation Organization, European Civil Aviation Conference, International Road Transport Union, International Union of Railways, Organisation for Co‑operation between Railways, Organization of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation, United Nations Economic Commission for Europe, and the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific. In July 2023, it was announced that TRACECA would join the eTIR international system. ==Secretary-General==

The Permanent Secretariat of TRACECA was established in March 2000 in Baku, and inaugurated on 21 February 2001, with the participation of the then President of Azerbaijan Heydar Aliyev, together with Javier Solana, Christopher Patten, Anna Lind. The Secretary-General is a chief executive officer of the Permanent Secretariat. The first Secretary-General elected by the Intergovernmental Commission was a representative of Georgia, ambassador Zviad Kvachantiradze. The current Secretary-General is Asset Assavbayev, appointed by the Intergovernmental Commission in December 2019. ==Projects==

TRACECA has five working groups: maritime transport, aviation, road and rail, transport security, and transport infrastructure. Amongst its specific projects, was the creation of a new bridge to replace and protect the heritage Red Bridge, located between Georgia and Azerbaijan. ==See also==