Greetings - Jose Capel Ferrer

Jose Capel Ferrer Director, UNECE Transport Division

"The IRU initiative builds a bridge between two dynamically developing economic regions - South-East Asia and Europe"

The economic development of countries depends increasingly on the development of trade and tourism among them. However, international trade and tourism face numerous and difficult challenges, including the existence of inefficient transport systems, in particular, inadequate infrastructures, old, unsafe and highly polluting vehicles and long border delays.

The UNECE has since 1947 developed Conventions that facilitate international road transport and minimize border-crossing formalities, thus taking up those challenges successfully. There is no doubt that the implementation of these UNECE Conventions in Europe has over the past fifty years contributed to European economic development and prosperity.

However, at a moment when the World Trade Organisation is trying to facilitate trade at global level, it is important that not only European countries but also other countries around the world adhere to and implement these UNECE Conventions.

The Truck Caravan from China to Europe will contribute to this endeavour and I, therefore, welcome it warmly. This new IRU initiative builds a bridge between two dynamically developing economic regions - South-East Asia and Europe- and revives traditions of ancient times.

The history of trade between Europe and China has records since the 13th century. Silk, China ware and many other useful products came to Europe from China through what was called the Silk Road. Merchants and adventurers used this road to go to China. Among them was Marco Polo, the first European merchant reaching Asia and bringing Asian goods to Europe by land. Then, the sea became for centuries the main transport route from Europe to China.

The situation started changing in the late 20th century when massive road construction was launched by Asian Governments and first of all in China. The rapidly growing Chinese economy has accelerated road construction and the development of road transport.

I commend the IRU's and its member organisations' vision, engagement, leadership and support for the development of road transport in Asia as well as between Asia and Europe through the implementation of the UNECE facilitation instruments.