Kazakhstan official claims Trans-Caspian route is not aimed at bypassing Russia

Development of a new route to deliver goods from China to Europe via Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Georgia and Ukraine (the Trans-Caspian international transport route) is not aimed at bypassing Russia, First Deputy Prime Minister Bakytzhan Sagintayev said on Friday, reports TASS.

"The issue is not that a number of countries have gathered together and are pursuing a weird policy regarding Russia aimed at making it break off relationship in the area of free trade with Ukraine. It's absolutely not the case," he said, adding that the new transport route has been prepared for a long time. He also said that "starting from New Year shipment of goods from Ukraine via Russia has been slightly complicated."

Earlier this week Ukraine announced launch of development of an export route bypassing Russia. On January 14, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Georgia and Ukraine signed a protocol on setting competitive subsidized tariffs for shipments via Trans-Caspian international transport route. The partners plan to accord a single tariff policy for shipments from China via Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Georgia and Ukraine to the European Union by mid-February.

Source: tass