Lithuania may become Kazakhstan’s maritime gateway to the West
Rimantas Sinkevičius, Minister of Transport and Communications of the Republic of Lithuania, during the meeting held in Astana with the First Vice-Minister for Investment and Development of the Republic of Kazakhstan Janis Kasimbet, expressed Lithuania’s position on bilateral cooperation in the field of transport and further prospects of its development, says the press center of Lithuania’s Ministry of Transport and Communications.
“We support Kazakhstan’s targets in the field of transport and logistics. Lithuania, with well-developed transport infrastructure and logistic centres network, can offer Kazakhstan safe, fast and inexpensive transportation services of various types of freights to be carried to Europe and the Scandinavian countries”, said Minister Rimantas Sinkevičius.
Lithuania support Kazakhstan's intention to carry out flights to the EU countries through Lithuania and to the country itself. Furthermore, Lithuania seeks to develop container train project “Saulė” and invites Kazakhstan to participate in developing Vilnius, Kaunas and Klaipėda Intermodal Terminals.
In Addition, the participants of the meeting touched upon the capabilities of freight transit in route China-Kazakhstan-Lithuania.
According to the Minister, the port of Klaipėda could become Kazakhstan's maritime gateway to the West. The goods shipped from Urumqi (People's Republic of China) to the port of Klaipėda via the territory of Kazakhstan could be shipped further to Central and Western Europe, Scandinavian countries as well.
In 2014, 25.5 percent more (compared to 2013) of cargo, that is over 800 thousand tonnes, was transported between these two countries. Most of the freight were oil, minerals and food products.
In June 5-6 this year, International Lithuanian and Kazakhstan Transport and Logistics Conference will be held in Klaipėda. The Vice-Minister for Investment and Development of the Republic of Kazakhstan was invited by Lithuania's Minister to participate at this event.
