On March 15, a meeting on the project for simplifying transit customs procedure along the Trans-Caspian International East-West Middle Corridor by using the “Single Window” principle was held.

Heads and representatives of customs services of Azerbaijan, Türkiye, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan and Georgia, Secretary General of World Customs Organization (WCO), Kunio Mikuriya, Deputy Secretary General of the Organization of Turkic States, Mirkhovid Azimov, representatives of United Nations Economic Commission for Europe, International Road Transport Union and other international organizations participated in the meeting that was aimed at simplifying transit customs procedures based on digital solutions using the “Single Window” principle along the Middle Corridor, speeding up the border crossing processes of goods and vehicles, preparing and implementing mechanisms.

First, the participants paid tribute to Heydar Aliyev, the national leader of our people, the architect and founder of the modern independent state of Azerbaijan, and laid a wreath in front of his grave in the Alley of Honor.

The memory of prominent ophthalmologist scientist, academician Zarifa Aliyeva was also honored and flowers were laid on her grave.

Then, in the Alley of Martyrs, the memory of the heroic children of the Motherland, who died in the struggle for the independence and territorial integrity of Azerbaijan, was honored, and a wreath was placed in front of the "Eternal Flame" monument.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the event, the Chairman of the State Customs Committee, Shahin Baghirov, spoke about the importance of increasing the attractiveness of the Middle Corridor and praised the efforts of the countries of the region in the direction of simplifying the transit customs procedure and emphasized that in the near future, important opportunities will arise for the further simplification of transit operations and their implementation on a digital basis.

The Secretary General of the World Customs Organization, Kunio Mikuriya, mentioned that the project is of great importance in terms of increasing regional development and prosperity, strengthening cooperation, and ensuring the sustainability of the trade-supply chain.

The Minister at the Ministry of Digital Development and Transport Rashad Nabiyev said that the measures taken within the framework of the multilateral platforms created by the heads of state to strengthen the cooperation between the countries of the Middle Corridor have already begun to bear fruit. He pointed out that the steps taken by the customs services of the countries of the region to simplify the transit procedure will also contribute to the common work.

The General Secretary of the Permanent Secretariat of the TRACECA Intergovernmental Commission, Asset Assavbayev, and the advisor to the Minister of Economy, Emil Majidov, emphasized that the measures implemented in the direction of facilitating transit customs procedures are important in terms of accelerating international trade, facilitating border crossing processes, as well as attracting investments and expanding the economic opportunities of the countries of the region.

At the meeting, the video appeal of Olga Algayerova, executive secretary of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe, was brought to the attention of the participants.

Then, the Secretary General of the World Customs Organization, Kunio Mikuriya spoke on “The role of customs transit in international trade", and the Deputy Secretary General of the Organization of Turkic States, Mirvokhid Azimov, spoke on the topic of "Development of the Middle Corridor: the view of the Organization of Turkic States".

At the meeting, the presentation of the Trans-Caspian Transit Portal developed by the experts of the Azerbaijan customs service was made and it was concluded that this application will enable the movement of goods and vehicles along the corridor based on one declaration, exchange of information electronically, and the use of the previously submitted customs transit declaration as a transit document.

Also, the portal is of great significance in terms of facilitating and increasing the efficiency of customs services, making decisions on the application of customs control forms based on risk analysis, and exchanging customs control results.

In addition, presentations on international mechanisms applied to simplify the transit procedure were also shown.

In the end, the heads of the customs services of the participating countries adopted the "Action Plan for the development and application of a simplified transit procedure along the Trans-Caspian International Transport Corridor East-West” using the “single window” principle" and signed the final protocol of the meeting.

It should be noted that the parties have defined the implementation of the discussed issues as a goal to be achieved in a short amount of time, which will create important opportunities for increasing the attractiveness of the middle corridor, for the transportation of goods on the East-West route in a shorter time and at the expense of funds, and for ensuring the sustainability of the trade and supply chain.