Ukraine and Türkiye have agreed to extend the liberalization of freight transport. Named “Liberated Transport,” this initiative includes the two-way movement of goods as well as transit transport between the two nations.
Ukraine’s Ministry of Development of Communities, Territories, and Infrastructure has disclosed that cargo and transit transportation no longer necessitate permits. This arrangement extends to entering empty trucks without prior authorization, VisaGuide.World reports.
Moreover, there has been an augmentation in the allotment of permits for cargo transportation to and from third countries, with the quota expanding by one thousand to reach a total of 3,500 permits.
The Minister of Community, Territorial and Infrastructure Development, Oleksandr Kubrako, revealed through a statement that approximately 15 percent of Ukraine’s total exports to Turkey are facilitated through road transport. At the same time, Turkish companies rely heavily on road transport, accounting for about 60 percent of our country’s total volume of imported goods.
I am grateful to my Turkish colleagues for their constructive cooperation in the development of the economies of both countries. The continuation of the liberalization of freight transport is an example of decision-making based on numbers and real indicators regarding the positive impact on the two-way transport market.
Commenting on this decision, the Deputy Minister of Community Development, Territories and Infrastructure, Serhiy Derkach, emphasized the cooperative efforts with Turkey, including transporting goods and passengers.
According to him, as part of ongoing efforts to reform international bus transport, Ukraine is diligently reassessing all bus lines to create an updated network, fostering a favorable environment for businesses to introduce new lines.
Ukraine Aims to Expand Transport Networks
The same noted that the country is actively exploring the possibility of non-regular transportation, as 400 permits for such excursions have been secured.
Soon, part of these permits will be allocated to Ukraine for distribution among carriers. As a point of reference, the liberalization of the transport of goods, eliminating the need for special permits, extends to 35 countries, including members of the European Union.
Notably, the Ministry of Reconstruction successfully negotiated this privilege with Norway and North Macedonia and extended the corresponding agreement with Moldova within the last year.
Based on a previous report by GMK Center, Ukrainian exports to the EU surged by 47.5 percent within the eighteen months following the signing of the Agreement on Liberalization of Freight Transport between Ukraine and the EU. Meanwhile, imports from the EU via road transportation experienced a notable uptick of 44 percent during this period. Originally signed in June 2022 for a one-year term, the agreement was extended until June 30, 2024, marking a significant milestone in fostering bilateral trade relations.