Summary: August 28, 2003: Statement by H. E. Diego Lorenzo Longo, Ambassador of the Italian Republic in Almaty, on behalf of the European Union. International Conference of Landlocked and Transit Developing Countries and International Financial and Development Institutions on Transit Transport Cooperation. Almaty, Kazakhstan (28-29 August 2003)
International Conference of Landlocked and Transit Developing Countries and International Financial and Development Institutions on Transit Transport Cooperation.
Mr President,
I have the honour to speak on behalf of the European Union. The acceding countries the Czech Republic, Hungary, Lithuania, Poland and the countries associated with the EU, Bulgaria, Romania, and Turkey have aligned themselves with this statement.
The EU considers the International Ministerial Conference of Landlocked and Transit Developing Countries, and donor countries and International Financial and Development Institutions on Transit Transport Cooperation as a valuable opportunity to address the specific problems of a particularly vulnerable group of countries.
The specific problems that the landlocked developing countries have to face are not only linked to their relative isolation from the rest of the major world markets but also to a series of socioeconomic factors such as insufficiently maintained infrastructure, inefficient administrative mechanisms, scarcity of foreign direct investment, lengthy customs procedures, public sector dominance and lack of trade competitiveness. These are just some of the many factors that impede the economic growth
of landlocked countries. We have to recognize however that many of those factors are also applicable to many transit developing countries.
This Ministerial Conference, convened in pursuance of the implementation of the Millennium Development Goals and in accordance with the UNGA Resolution 56/180, provides us with an opportunity to discuss ways and means for addressing the needs of these countries by in particular strengthening the efficient cooperation and collaboration between them and their transit neighbour countries at regional, sub-regional and bilateral levels. The support of the international community can be of great
complementary value in that respect. For the EU the Almaty Programme of Action has to provide the necessary global framework for developing efficient transit transport systems for the landlocked developing countries, in a way that is sustainable from an economic, social, financial and institutional point of view, as well as being environmentally sound, consistent with the WSSD implementation plan, taking into account gender issues as well as health aspects.
Our common efforts to address the particular needs and problems of landlocked countries are an essential element of our broader commitment to achieve the internationally agreed development goals including the Millennium Development Goals. We are convinced that our resolve to eradicate poverty and to improve the quality of lives of peoples in developing countries will be tested by the results we will be able to achieve in addressing the problems of the most vulnerable. The values, principles and
objectives of the Millennium Declaration must guide us in our deliberations.
Mr President,
The EU believes that the following action both at the national and the international level in the following three mutually reinforcing areas is essential if we are to effectively address the specific problems and needs of LLDCs. As a consequence we feel that they should all be adequately reflected in the Almaty Programme of Action.
Firstly, regional integration and cooperation has an important role to play since the problems of LLDCs can best be addressed together with neighbouring transit developing countries at regional level and in particular via regional integration measures. In this context, it is of utmost importance to strengthen existing regional co-operation initiatives and to promote agreements between transit and landlocked developing countries in order to address the specific challenges stemming from the
problems those countries face. The EU already provides support to many of the regional initiatives involving landlocked and transit developing countries, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa and is committed to continue that support. The TRACECA (Transport Corridor Europe-Caucasus-Central Asia), a regional TACIS sub-programme initiated by the European Commission in 1993, has spent more than 110 million Euro on investment and technical assistance projects over the last 10 years. One of TRACECA's
main objectives is to facilitate the trade between Asia and the EU. It is worth mentioning that Central Asia (except Turkmenistan) and Caucasus countries (plus Ukraine, Moldova, Bulgaria, Turkey and Romania) have signed the TRACECA multi-lateral agreement and created a political organisation that includes the TRACECA Permanent Secretariat in Baku, the Intergovernmental Conference, and the network of TRACECA National Secretaries. In addition to that continued support for institutional and
capacity building, there is also need for an enhanced and strengthened political dialogue at the regional level.
Secondly, a major challenge for many of the LLDCs is the creation of affordable, reliable and sustainable transit transport systems. The EU already plays an important role as a donor, providing financial and technical assistance for developing sustainable policies and strategies, transport infrastructure and services, such as roads, railways, waterways, and multimodal regional network systems. As the financial needs go far beyond what can be funded from international public sources of
financing, or from public sources within the LLDC, the conference will have to explore further - in addition to providing public financing - new innovative mechanisms of financing such as private-public partnerships with enhanced involvement of private sector needs. We also believe that it is necessary to promote fair competition between operators and transport modes in order to improve efficiency of services, and cost and price effectiveness. Furthermore the transport sector should be
adequately reflected in the nationally conceived poverty reduction strategies of landlocked and transit developing countries. A sectoral approach with enhanced focus on strategic networks and regional transport corridors and with increased financing of sector development programmes rather than of individual projects is a vital element.
The third element that needs to be highlighted is trade. Trade can be a powerful engine for growth and development. One of the priority objectives should be beneficial integration of the landlocked developing countries into the world trading system. In recognition of this the EU is currently funding several projects in LLDCs related to trade facilitation and customs modernisation, and trade related assistance will continue to be an important part of our development cooperation. The further
implementation of such programmes however, needs to take place as a part of a coherent national development strategy and in respect of internationally agreed rules.
Ratification and proper implementation of international customs conventions such as the revised "Kyoto Convention for the simplification and Harmonisation of customs procedures" as adopted in June 1999, and the UN TIR Convention for customs transit by road are also important.
The Fifth WTO ministerial in Cancun, which will take place in three weeks time, represents another important opportunity for LLDCs to improve their development opportunities and their successful integration into the global economy. By contributing to a successful Cancun ministerial, LLDCs will help to achieve the goal of concluding the Doha Development Agenda negotiations by the end of 2004, with gains for all WTO members, but with particular gains for LLDCs in a number of areas. These gains
are for example in the area of trade facilitation, where the DDA should result in new WTO commitments resulting in a considerable easing of border and transit procedures now hampering LLDCs export potential but also in the field of transport services to provide improvements in the possibilities for LLDCs to get their products rapidly and reliably to the market.
Mr. President,
We are ready to do our part to help landlocked and transit developing countries. It is clear however that these developing countries themselves have to assume ownership of designing appropriate national policies, which complement regional initiatives to create conditions conducive to development. Only thus can our efforts be successful.
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