Heute vor einem Jahr kommen wir auf die E 60 mit neuem Teerbelag!
In Salzburg hatten wir sie schon einmal gequert.
Heute wissen wir, daß Sary-Tash Knotenbahnhof einer Eisenbahn von Ürümqi (auch: Urumtschi oder Urumchi, bis 1954 Dihua) nach Osh (Kyrgyz: Ош) sein wird. Eine Strecke entlang der E60 nach Afghanistan, offiziell Islamische Republik Afghanistan (Paschtu/Dari (Persisch): افغانستان Afghānestān) und den Iran (Persien, persisch ايران Īrān
[iːˈrɔːn]/, dt. Land der Arier) ist dann nur plausibel!Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation
Senior Officials’ Meeting
August 9-10, 2001, Asian Development Bank, Manila
Highlights of the Meeting
At the invitation of ADB, delegations from the People’s Republic of China (PRC), Kazakhstan,
Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and Azerbaijan met for two days in Manila, Philippines,
to discuss ADB’s program of support for Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation. More
specifically, the Meeting discussed and confirmed:
· the priority areas ADB should concentrate on in facilitating regional cooperation
· the institutional framework that would best serve implementation of the ADB program
· preparations for a Ministerial Conference scheduled 5-9 November 2001 in Urumqi,
PRC.
Opening Statements
Mr. Joseph Eichenberger, Vice President (East), ADB, welcomed the country delegations,
noting the importance of the Meeting and the partnership role of ADB. He noted the need for the
Central Asian republics to look broadly for opportunities to deepen their engagement with the
global community, including the full range of countries with which they have historical and
cultural ties, and the imperative of building a conducive environment for private sector
development.
In the subsequent statements of country delegations, a common theme was their deep
commitment to regional economic cooperation, and the need for more progress. The
delegations endorsed transport, energy and trade as priority sectors for the ADB-supported
Program of Regional Economic Cooperation, and made reference to additional challenges and
interests. The country delegation expressed their appreciation for ADB's support and role as an
"honest broker".
Transport and Regional Cooperation
The Meeting confirmed that transport remained the highest priority area for regional
cooperation. The Meeting reviewed the progress on projects identified and agreed on during
the Conference on Central Asian Regional Cooperation in Transportation in September 2000 in
Almaty, Kazakhstan.
(i) Northern Tajikistan (Bekabad-Kanibadam) railway improvement
(ii) Almaty-Horgos road rehabilitation
(iii) Andijan-Osh-lrkeshtam road, and extension road in Xinjiang improvement
(iv) Lugovoy-Bishkek-Balykchy rail project
(v) Uzbekistan-Kyrgyz-PRC railway construction
(vi) Dushanbe-Sarytash road rehabilitation
The Meeting supported ADB's RETA proposal to support the development of the transport
corridor, referred to as priority projects (iii) and (v) above. A follow-up meeting will be held in
September 2001 in Bishkek. To achieve tangible progress PRC proposed that a working group
be established to monitor progress on regional transport projects. Other topics raised included:
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· cross-border issues
· the importance of mobilizing concessional financing resources;
· several projects for possible consideration as priority regional projects.1
Energy and Regional Cooperation
Given the high degree of complementarity in energy resources among the countries in the
region, the participating countries considered energy a priority area for regional cooperation.
The countries also recognized that infrastructure bottlenecks and the related policy environment
need to be addressed. The Meeting appreciated ADB's support for this priority sector and
encouraged ADB to continue to focus on infrastructure investments and relevant policy reforms
to facilitate energy trade, while ensuring the protection of the environment. Targeted support
may also be needed to provide access to energy for remote/poor communities and alternative
energy sources. Regional cooperation in human resources and technology in energy was also
discussed.
ADB’s regional energy projects recently completed, underway or in the “pipeline” include:
(i) An Energy Conference in Bishkek in July 2001, which reviewed policy and
institutional issues and investment needs for power transmission modernization;
other topics were water energy nexus and renewable energy;
(ii) Regional Power Transmission Project, underway through TA support; addresses
policy and institutional issues impeding regional power trade and strengthening
of the Central Asia Power System;
(iii) Regional Gas Transmission Improvement Project, under consideration, will help
renovate the gas pipeline from Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan through Kyrgyz
Republic to Kazakhstan;
(iv) A proposed renewable energy project, under consideration, which would include
pilot projects in support of clean energy in the region.
The countries emphasized the importance of joint water and energy management and the
implications for hydropower development and the environment. The countries appreciated
ADB's effort to examine this critical but complex issue. ADB noted that water resource
management is of growing importance for all countries. In this connection, it informed the
Meeting of its support - in coordination with other donor and aid agencies - for the Third World
Water Forum; the Forum will include discussions of water usage in Central Asia.
Trade and Regional Cooperation
The participating countries emphasized the importance of trade facilitation in the region and
recognized that improvement is needed in this area. The countries also pointed out that a
phased approach is preferable so as to be able to achieve tangible and concrete results
relatively quickly before tackling more complex issues. There was a general consensus on the
need to improve customs facilitation such as cross-border procedures, and standardization and
certification of exports and imports. There was also agreement that there is a need for an
effective mechanism to facilitate progress in the above areas and to implement existing
1 Dushanbe-Kurgan-Tube Kulyab and onwards to the PRC border [TAJ]; Khujand-Dushanbe road [TAJ]; Biskek-
Torugart-Kashgar road [KGZ]; and Almaty – Issyk-Kul lake [KGZ].
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agreements. A proposal was made to set up a working group on trade facilitation and customs
issues.
ADB reported on the progress with the ongoing study on customs modernization and
cooperation in the region. The study, to be completed by September 2001, will form the
diagnostic basis for ADB assistance in this area. The countries supported this ADB initiative, in
recognition that their degrees of customs modernization differ considerably and there is need to
better harmonize the procedure. The countries and ADB will discuss further steps once the
study is completed, and the findings will be reported to the Urumqi Conference.
The Institutional Framework
As ADB's program to support regional economic cooperation in the region grows, the countries
have realized the increasing need for strengthening the overall planning, prioritization and
implementation of the program. They also see the importance of close coordination and
cooperation with other donor and aid agencies, as well as the long term significance of
mobilizing resources to finance regional projects. For these reasons, an overall institutional
framework is needed to guide the program.
The Meeting reviewed and supported ADB's proposed institutional framework. Salient features
of the framework include principles of simplicity, effectiveness, flexibility, fairness and
sustainability. The discussion focused on how to structure the framework so as to maximize its
effectiveness. The Meeting noted that the proposed framework should be results-oriented.
The Meeting agreed to the following framework comprising:
(i) A Ministerial-level Conference for providing strategic direction and making policy
decision;
(ii) A Senior Officials' Meeting, with the coordinating responsibility to ensure effective
implementation at the operational level of policy decisions made at the
Ministerial-level Conference. The main tasks of the Senior Officials’ Meeting
include preparing for meetings of the Ministerial-level Conference, and crosssectoral
coordination and other preparatory work;
(iii) Coordinating Committees, with coordination of sectoral and other relevant issues
as the main responsibilities of the committees
(iv) National Focal Point(s), with a coordinating role both within their own countries
and among the participating countries;
(v) ADB Secretariat, to provide technical, administrative and coordinating support;
(vi) Project-specific Working Groups are transitory by nature and are, therefore,
shown connected to the Coordinating Committees by a broken line.
Preparation for the Urumqi Conference
The Meeting discussed the preparation for the Urumqi Conference. All countries attach high
importance to the Conference and, therefore, the need for careful preparation. The Meeting
reviewed a draft agenda of the Conference and agreed that the Conference would be held 5-9
November 2001 in Urumqi, PRC. Several suggestions to be incorporated were made, including:
(i) flexibility for each government to decide on representation;
(ii) incorporating a Senior Officials’ meeting on the evening of 7 November to review
the Ministerial Statement
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(iii) timely preparation and circulation of all documents for the Conference.
Concluding Directions
The Meeting reached four conclusive directions for ADB’s program of support for Central Asia
Regional Economic Cooperation:
(i) transport, energy (including hydro energy and other forms of renewable energy),
and trade facilitation should be the top priorities; human resource development in
support of these priorities should be an important component of the program;
(ii) other suggestions for inclusion in the program (e.g., SMEs, water resource
management, and environment) should be further examined by ADB and
consultations held with the countries;
(iii) an institutional framework for the program is highly desirable, incorporating
principles of simplicity and practicality, and Ministerial direction supported by a
Senior Officials’ Meeting and Operational Units (Coordinating Committees,
National Focal Points, a Secretariat, and temporary project-specific working
groups);
(iv) holding of the first Ministerial Conference for the ADB program, 5-9 November
2001, in Urumqi, PRC.
